HARARE – Fuel and energy company Petrotrade has issued a strong warning to job seekers and the general public following the circulation of fraudulent job advertisements falsely claiming to offer employment opportunities with the company.

In a press statement, Petrotrade revealed that fake recruitment notices are being shared on social media platforms and other unofficial channels by individuals seeking to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

According to the company, the scammers are falsely presenting themselves as representatives of Petrotrade and are demanding payments from job applicants in exchange for employment opportunities.

Petrotrade emphasized that it does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process and urged job seekers to be vigilant when responding to employment advertisements.

"Petrotrade wishes to state, unequivocally, that it does not, at any stage of its recruitment process, require or request payment of any kind from job applicants," the company said.

The company warned that any request for money in relation to employment opportunities should be treated as fraudulent and reported to the relevant authorities immediately.

Petrotrade further encouraged members of the public who may have been approached by the suspected fraudsters or who have information that could assist investigations to report the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The case is currently being handled by police under reference ZRP Harare Central IR 061399.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over online recruitment scams, which have become increasingly common as criminals exploit high unemployment levels and the growing use of digital platforms for job searches. Such scams often involve fake job offers, requests for processing fees, or demands for payments purportedly linked to interviews, training or employment contracts.

Petrotrade urged job seekers to verify all employment opportunities through the company's official communication channels and to avoid engaging with unverified advertisements circulating on social media.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public from fraud and working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.