The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan, organized a National Workshop on Countering Online Recruitment Fraud Targeting Labor Migrants at the Hilton Hotel in Dushanbe on October 22-23, 2025.  Press release issued by IOM Tajikistan says the two-day event brought together law enforcement officials, government representatives, digital experts, and frontline service providers to address the growing threat of online scams exploiting Tajik citizens seeking employment abroad.

The workshop was organized under the "Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK" project, funded by UK International Development from the UK Government.

In recent years, Tajikistan has witnessed a sharp increase in online recruitment fraud, where scammers use social media and messaging platforms to promote fake job offers and visa services. These scammers often deceive migrants into paying significant amounts of money offering fake jobs. Following the "Safe Migration of Seasonal Workers from Central Asia to the UK" project statistics, migrants reported losses ranging from USD 50 to 5,000. Migrants often gather the money by selling personal belongings or taking loans in hopes of securing jobs that never materialize.

Mr. Sharif Norzoda, Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population, highlighted the importance of building a joint national response: "Online recruitment fraud is not merely a crime involving information and communication technologies — it is an assault on the hopes and livelihoods of Tajik families. Therefore, protecting our citizens requires strengthened cooperation and enhanced engagement among government institutions, law enforcement agencies, development partners, and IT companies."

Mr. Victor Lutenco, IOM Chief of Mission in Tajikistan, underscored that addressing online recruitment fraud is central to promoting safe and regular migration pathways: "Every fraudulent job offer undermines the trust migrants place in legitimate opportunities. By improving detection, coordination, and awareness, we can ensure that migration remains a pathway to empowerment, not exploitation."

Sessions were moderated by Mr. Oleg Metsik, IOM expert on labor market forecasting, and Mr. Alexander Maer, IOM cybersecurity specialist. Through interactive discussions, case studies with real examples scammers usually use exploiting UK Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS), and group exercises, participants analyzed real-life fraud scenarios and explored practical approaches to combating online recruitment fraud.

Mr. Bahrom Rahmatjonov, IOM National Programme Officer, highlighted a critical psychological dimension of the problem: "Based on our experience, prospective migrants often find themselves choosing between two sources of information: a legitimate expert who carefully verifies facts multiple times before providing guidance, and a scammer who instantly offers any information a migrant wants to hear. Paradoxically, because the scammer responds immediately and without hesitation, migrants psychologically tend to trust them more. This speed and confidence create a false sense of reliability that fraudsters deliberately exploit."

The workshop concluded with practical recommendations to enhance the protection of Tajik migrants participating in the UK SWS, including establishing national referral procedures for responding to suspected fraud cases, expanding public awareness campaigns on safe job search practices, and integrating digital fraud prevention training into pre-departure orientation programs.

As part of the event achievement, IOM will prepare a summary report consolidating key findings and recommendations identified during the workshop to inform future programming on digital security and migration governance.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, working to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM has been present in Tajikistan since 1993, supporting the Government and people of Tajikistan in migration management, migrant protection, and sustainable development.