A man in Guiyang, China, allegedly paid 30,000 yuan (about RM18,000) in “training fees” after being promised help securing a job at a state-owned enterprise, only to be dismissed after working for just one month.
According to local media outlet Baixing Guanzhu, the man, identified as Mr Wu, had been trying to find a stable job for his brother when he came across an account called “Lao Wang Ai Fenxiang” on Douyin in May.
The account regularly posted information about recruitment opportunities at state-owned enterprises and claimed to be able to help people secure positions. Believing the account appeared credible, Wu reportedly contacted the person behind it and sought assistance in getting his brother hired.
Wu eventually paid 30,000 yuan in what he was told was a “training fee”. The arrangement appeared to offer a pathway into a state-owned enterprise, but the promised job did not turn out as expected.
His brother was eventually employed, but was dismissed after only about a month on the job. Questions were also raised over whether the company involved was genuinely a state-owned enterprise, adding to Wu’s concerns over the money he had paid.
The case highlights the risks faced by jobseekers who are attracted by claims of guaranteed or assisted recruitment, particularly when payments are requested outside official hiring procedures. Genuine recruitment for state-owned enterprises generally follows formal processes, making requests for large upfront payments a potential warning sign.
The report did not provide further details on whether police had launched an investigation or whether Wu had recovered the 30,000 yuan.
