How to Spot Fake Remote Jobs, and Where to Find the Real Ones

The dream of working from anywhere is more possible than ever. But with this global demand comes a serious problem: fake remote job listings. Every week, someone messages us saying, "I think I just applied to a scam job," or worse: "I gave them my passport info."

This blog is here to protect you. We’ll show you how to spot red flags, where to find real opportunities, and how to confidently navigate your remote job search without falling into traps.

1. Common Red Flags in Fake Remote Job Listings

Not every scam looks like a scam. Some of them are too good to be true — others are just subtle enough to trick even smart professionals.

Watch for:

• Unprofessional emails or communication (Gmail addresses, bad grammar, no signature)

• No interview or very short interview before an offer

• Requests for personal documents upfront (passport, ID, bank info)

• Strange payment requests or "training fees"

• Vague job descriptions with no mention of responsibilities or team

• Job offers coming from platforms you never applied on

• Fake LinkedIn company pages with few or no employees

If something feels rushed or unclear, step back.

2. Real Stories, Real Risks

One of our clients from Brazil received a remote offer from a "tech startup in Germany." The job sounded great: good pay, flexible hours, international team. They asked for a scan of her passport "to get started with onboarding."

Luckily, she asked us first. The company didn’t exist. The domain had been registered three weeks before. The LinkedIn page had no real people.

These scams aren’t rare. They target people looking for remote work, often in countries where opportunities are harder to access.

3. Where to Find Real Remote Jobs

Here are the platforms we trust, based on client success and consistent quality:

• We Work Remotely — one of the oldest and most reliable platforms

• Remote OK — tech and creative roles worldwide

• FlexJobs — great for remote jobs in startups, especially in Europe

• Working Nomads — remote roles in marketing, writing, and tech

• LinkedIn — but filter by "remote" and check the company page

• AngelList Talent — best for remote startup roles

• Remotive — vetted jobs with clear remote policies

If a platform asks you to pay to apply, that’s a red flag.

4. How to Verify Companies and Recruiters

When in doubt, investigate:

• Search the company name + “scam” or “fraud”

• Check the domain age using WHOIS tools (is it new?)

• Look up the recruiter on LinkedIn — do they have a real network?

• Check for employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor or Reddit

• Ask for a real-time interview via Zoom or Google Meet

Scammers avoid video calls. Real companies will never rush you to hand over sensitive documents without a proper process.

5. Job Post Validation Checklist (Free Download)

We created a quick checklist to help you vet any remote job post:

• Is the company real and searchable?

• Do they have a website and verified team members?

• Is the role well-described and aligned with your skills?

• Is the communication clear, professional, and consistent?

• Have you had a proper interview or screening?

You can download the checklist here and use it before every application.

Final Thoughts

Remote work opens doors, but it also opens risks.

Don’t let fear stop you from going after global opportunities. Just stay sharp, ask questions, and know what real looks like.

If you want expert eyes on your job search strategy, CV, and LinkedIn, book a free session with our team. We’ve helped hundreds find real jobs, with real pay, across borders.

Let’s make your remote career happen, safely and strategically.