Fake jobs, real danger: Online job scammers target young women

As young women across southern Africa continue to fall victim to fake casting calls and fraudulent online job offers, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) says it is stepping up efforts to protect vulnerable women and girls from exploitation, including cross-border human trafficking.

In recent months, South African media have reported a spike in cases where young women were lured with promises of modelling contracts and lucrative job opportunities abroad, only to end up trapped in exploitative and abusive situations. Zimbabwe, authorities say, is not spared from the growing menace.

According to Letitia Moyo, director of complaints handling and investigations and acting chief executive officer of the ZGC, Zimbabwe has recorded a noticeable increase in technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

"There has been a rise in cases of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, also known as online GBV," said Moyo.

To counter the emerging threat, the ZGC, in partnership with the German development agency GIZ, has developed a Digital Safety and Dignity Toolkit, aimed at preventing online GBV and equipping women and girls with skills to navigate digital spaces safely.

Moyo said the commission is also strengthening collaboration with international partners and embassies to monitor and curb cross-border human trafficking.

"We are working closely with international partners and embassies to monitor cross-border human trafficking, a risk many young women face when pursuing fraudulent job offers abroad," she said.

Zimbabwe's high youth unemployment rate and economic hardships have heightened vulnerability, making young women more susceptible to online recruiters and scammers offering false hope.

"We need to ensure that our young women are protected both locally and when they seek opportunities abroad," Moyo added.

While acknowledging that the challenge remains ongoing, the ZGC expressed confidence that stronger laws, increased public awareness, and enhanced international cooperation could significantly reduce the risks posed by online job scams and trafficking networks targeting young women.