CGP Singapore, part of the Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP) Group, is aware of recent incidents involving individuals claiming to be employed and/or associated with CGP and are recruiting in Singapore & Malaysia. We, at CGP, take our candidates safety seriously during the recruitment process. When in doubt, it is always best to contact the company the recruiter is claiming to be from via the official number/email.
Scams including job scams hit all time high in Singapore, recording 45000+ cases in 2024 and in the first half of 2025, there were 2,701 reported job scam cases. So far in 2025, job scams were the third most common scam type (2701 cases reported), after phishing and e-commerce scams, while victims reported over 9043 cases in 2024.
In this scenario, how can you ensure a legitimate job opportunity and protect yourself from falling victim?
Understanding Job Scams
Job scams are fraudulent schemes where scammers pose as employers or recruiters to deceive individuals seeking employment. The primary objectives of these scams are to extract money, obtain personal information, or exploit victims for free labor. Scammers often advertise fake job openings through various channels, including online ads, social media platforms, and even reputable job search websites, sometimes mimicking legitimate companies to appear credible.
Common Warning Signs of Job Scams
- Unprofessional Communication: Correspondence from recruiters or employers containing grammatical errors, generic email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo), or unprofessional language. Professional organizations maintain a standard of communication; deviations may indicate fraudulent activity.
- Unsolicited Job Offers: Ambiguity in job descriptions can indicate a scam. Additionally, promises of high income for minimal work, especially for entry-level positions, are often too good to be true.
- Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate employers will not ask for sensitive details like your Social Security number or bank account information early in the recruitment process.
- Upfront Payment Requirements: Be cautious if asked to pay for training materials, background checks, or other fees. Authentic employers typically cover these costs.
- Vague Job Descriptions: Job postings lacking clear details about responsibilities or qualifications may indicate a scam.
- High Earnings for Entry-Level Positions: Offers that promise substantial income with little experience required should be approached with skepticism.
Nov 2025: Impersonation Alert: Fake Consultant Calls Reported
We are aware of recent incidents involving individuals impersonating our consultants and contacting candidates via phone calls. These impersonators may offer fake job opportunities or inquire about employment status under false pretences.
We take candidate safety seriously and urge everyone to remain vigilant. As part of our Protective Measures Against Unsolicited Communications, please note the following:
- All CGP Singapore consultants will state their EA Personnel Registration number, which begins with “R”, when contacting candidates.
- All CGP Malaysia consultants will provide their JTK license number or registration number during outreach.
- See below to understand how to stay vigilant and verify our consultants.
How to Protect Yourself from Job Scams
- Research the Company: Verify the organization’s legitimacy by checking for an official website, reading reviews, and confirming contact information. At CGP, our official emails are from @cornerstoneglobalpartners.com or @cgptalent.com
- Be Cautious with Personal Information: Share sensitive details only after confirming the employer’s authenticity and receiving a formal job offer.
- Avoid Upfront Payments: Decline any job opportunity that requires you to pay fees before starting employment.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off about a job offer or recruitment process, it’s wise to step back and reassess.
Protective Measures Against Unsolicited Communications
We’ve been getting reports about unsolicited WhatsApp messages from people pretending to be from ‘CGP Personnel’ or ‘CGP Singapore.’ Sometimes, they use fake names of people who don’t even work here; other times they use the name of one of our consultants.
Unless verified, these messages aren’t from us. Here’s what you can do:
- DO NOT respond to text messages or calls from unknown numbers and avoid any communication with unverified individuals.
- DO NOT click on any links within the message unless verified.
- DO NOT share any personal information at the initial stage of the interview process.
- DO NOT proceed with any monetary transactions as we at CGP never ask for any form of payment from candidates as part of the recruitment process.
We are grateful that all our potential candidates exercised due diligence by verifying with us, and our CGP team responded promptly to prevent them from falling victim to these job scams.
Stay vigilant from job scams
We encourage all job seekers to take extra precautions, especially when receiving unsolicited messages. . If you receive an unexpected communication claiming to be from CGP, you can verify the person’s identity by using the Ministry of Manpower EA Directory. You can also contact us directly at contact@cornerstoneglobalpartners.com before responding.
CGP’s Official Social Accounts
CGP Group’s only official social media accounts in Singapore are on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and our WhatsApp channel:
- LinkedIn – Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP Group)
- Instagram – @cgppersonnel and @cgp_apac
- WhatsApp channel – SG Jobs & Careers
For information on reporting suspected recruitment scams, please refer to the Singapore Police Force’s guide.
