Beware of social media job scams with unverified employers

Makassar (ANTARA) – The South Sulawesi Provincial Government, through the Department of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (DP3AP2KB), has urged young people to be vigilant and cautious about job offers on social media.

Head of the Women and Child Protection Section at DP3AP2KB Sulsel, Meisy Papayungan, stated on Thursday that scams on social media offering job opportunities that lead to sexual assault are a new phenomenon requiring vigilance. ‘We must first know who the employer is and what the job entails. It’s crucial for everyone, especially young women, to double-check and verify such offers as a form of vigilance,’ she said.

This follows a case where a university student was lured via social media for a babysitting job, only to be abducted and sexually assaulted. Papayungan stressed the need for stronger digital literacy, particularly among youth who frequently use social media, as many scams and verbal harassment occur through digital platforms.

She noted that most social media job scams involve roles such as household helpers or domestic assistants, but babysitting offers are a newer tactic not yet widely suspected. ‘The key is digital literacy in processing information, especially job offers. All demographic groups need to be reminded, as scams come in various forms,’ she added.

She encouraged the public to report incidents and consult local DP3A offices for preventive measures rather than immediate police reporting, which would escalate to a formal case. ‘Going to the police means filing a report, but contacting the UPTD PPA allows for persuasive mediation. This is part of our effort to educate employers and workplaces,’ she said.