Beware of recruitment scams using University of Helsinki’s name: Always verify job adverts on official University website

Fake job adverts promoting non-existent vacancies have appeared in the University of Helsinki’s name. Victims have signed false employment contracts and then been asked by the scammers to send money, supposedly for salary payment. Some of these adverts have been published in English on websites such as upwork.com.

Fake job adverts promoting non-existent vacancies have appeared in the University of Helsinki’s name. Some reported fraud attempts involved victims signing fake employment contracts, followed by requests for money under the pretext of ‘salary payment’.  

Fraudulent job adverts have been published in English on websites including upwork.com, with translators among the roles targeted. The adverts have featured the University of Helsinki logo, and the fake employment contracts have been signed in the name of individuals including ‘Professor Sari Lindblom’. In some cases, victims have transferred money to the perpetrators. 

How to spot a fake job advert: 

  • The University of Helsinki never asks for money during recruitment or for salary payment. Any request for payment during a recruitment process conducted in the University’s name is fraudulent.
  • Our vacancies are always listed on our official ‘Open positions’ website. If unsure of the authenticity of a job advert, please check whether it has been published on the above website. The University’s people finder tool can help you confirm whether contact details in an advert or provided by an individual are genuine.
  • As a rule, the University of Helsinki always conducts recruitment via its recruitment system. External applicants must first create an applicant profile in the system. They then receive an email confirming that their profile has been successfully created. Applicants should verify the legitimacy of any recruitment process not conducted through the University’s official system.   
  • Applicants should be wary of recruiters who attempt to rush the process. The University’s standardised recruitment process includes varied communication with applicants. Assessments, such as interviews, are conducted before finalising any employment contract.
  • We generally communicate with applicants by email, never through WhatsApp or other instant messaging platforms.
  • If you encounter anything suspicious, please report it to our recruitment contact address: recruitment@helsinki.fi.