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New findings highlight growing urgency for digital hiring safeguards as trust in recruiters and job sites declines
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid one of Asia's most digitally advanced labour markets, a new survey by Reeracoen Singapore, in collaboration with Rakuten Insight Global, reveals that 35% of jobseekers in Singapore encountered job scams in the past year, with over half of them targeted more than once.
This worrying trend comes amid a national surge in scams. According to the Singapore Police Force, scam cases rose by 46.8% in 2023, with job scams alone costing victims more than S$20 million. Despite Singapore's strong governance and advanced recruitment platforms, digital fraud continues to outpace safeguards.
"As AI continues to evolve, it's becoming harder to tell what's real and what's a scam — especially in digital hiring. This is no longer just a tech problem; it's a human one," said Kenji Naito, Group CEO of Reeracoen Group. "The value of human involvement and verified interactions is becoming even more important. We must build hiring ecosystems where people feel safe and trust comes by default."
Jobseekers Losing Faith in Trusted Platforms
The survey found that fraudsters are exploiting legitimate-looking platforms and impersonating recruiters to target tech-savvy candidates. Among the top job search channels are online job portals and company websites, but even these are being misused by bad actors. In response, 79% of jobseekers said they are highly concerned about scam risks and 40% reported declining trust in recruitment platforms and agencies due to scam exposure.
The most common red flags include requests for upfront fees or personal information and suspiciously high salariespaired with minimal job requirements.
"Even in Singapore's trusted hiring environment, jobseekers are feeling the impact of impersonation scams," said Shoichi Sunaga, Branch Manager, Reeracoen Singapore. "Verified listings, stronger employer branding, and human-led screening are no longer optional – they're essential."
Jobseekers Call for Platform Accountability
Respondents identified the following as top measures they want from job platforms and recruiters:
- Stricter screening of job postings
- Verified employer and recruiter accounts
- Real-time user reporting systems for suspicious ads
- Collaboration with government agencies for enforcement
Notably, only 1 in 5 respondents said they would pay for additional scam protection, reinforcing the expectation that safety should be a built-in standard, not a premium add-on.
Industry-Wide Call to Action
To address these concerns, the report offers strategic recommendations for employers, platforms, and regulators seeking to strengthen digital hiring integrity:
- Deploy verification badge systems to deter impersonation
- Implement AI-powered screening tools to detect and block fraudulent job postings
- Enhance collaboration with regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Manpower and Infocomm Media Development Authority on cross-platform enforcement
- Run public awareness campaigns to educate jobseekers on red flags and reporting mechanisms
Reeracoen advocates for industry collaboration and policy alignment to build a more resilient, transparent digital hiring ecosystem.
To download the full report or explore Reeracoen's recruitment services, visit:
About Reeracoen Singapore
Reeracoen is an award-winning leader in Asia's recruitment landscape, connecting top-tier talent with forward-thinking organisations across the region. With 9 offices across 6 major Asian countries, we combine deep local networks with cross-border hiring expertise to help businesses grow faster and stronger.
Our excellence has been recognised with recent awards such as:
- Best Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency 2025
- Best International Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency 2024
- Best Executive Recruitment Agency 2024
In Singapore, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service quality, providing innovative and trusted recruitment solutions to help businesses and candidates succeed in an evolving digital economy. For more information, visit www.reeracoen.sg and follow us on social media.
About Rakuten Insight Global, Inc.
Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. ("Rakuten Insight") is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., a global leader in internet services, headquartered in Tokyo. Rakuten Insight was established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and became part of the Rakuten Group in 2014. Rakuten Insight possesses a research panel focusing on 12 major Asian markets & the US and a panel network covering 60 countries and regions. With offices in 11 countries and regions, Rakuten Insight provides market research for over 500 leading companies around the world. Rakuten Insight Singapore serves as an off-shore market research hub to drive business development and provide multi-lingual and multi-functional operational support for clients based across Southeast Asia. For more information, visit https://insight.rakuten.com/ and follow us on social media.
New findings highlight growing urgency for digital hiring safeguards as trust in recruiters and job sites declines
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid one of Asia's most digitally advanced labour markets, a new survey by Reeracoen Singapore, in collaboration with Rakuten Insight Global, reveals that 35% of jobseekers in Singapore encountered job scams in the past year, with over half of them targeted more than once.
This worrying trend comes amid a national surge in scams. According to the Singapore Police Force, scam cases rose by 46.8% in 2023, with job scams alone costing victims more than S$20 million. Despite Singapore's strong governance and advanced recruitment platforms, digital fraud continues to outpace safeguards.
"As AI continues to evolve, it's becoming harder to tell what's real and what's a scam — especially in digital hiring. This is no longer just a tech problem; it's a human one," said Kenji Naito, Group CEO of Reeracoen Group. "The value of human involvement and verified interactions is becoming even more important. We must build hiring ecosystems where people feel safe and trust comes by default."
Jobseekers Losing Faith in Trusted Platforms
The survey found that fraudsters are exploiting legitimate-looking platforms and impersonating recruiters to target tech-savvy candidates. Among the top job search channels are online job portals and company websites, but even these are being misused by bad actors. In response, 79% of jobseekers said they are highly concerned about scam risks and 40% reported declining trust in recruitment platforms and agencies due to scam exposure.
The most common red flags include requests for upfront fees or personal information and suspiciously high salariespaired with minimal job requirements.
"Even in Singapore's trusted hiring environment, jobseekers are feeling the impact of impersonation scams," said Shoichi Sunaga, Branch Manager, Reeracoen Singapore. "Verified listings, stronger employer branding, and human-led screening are no longer optional – they're essential."
Jobseekers Call for Platform Accountability
Respondents identified the following as top measures they want from job platforms and recruiters:
- Stricter screening of job postings
- Verified employer and recruiter accounts
- Real-time user reporting systems for suspicious ads
- Collaboration with government agencies for enforcement
Notably, only 1 in 5 respondents said they would pay for additional scam protection, reinforcing the expectation that safety should be a built-in standard, not a premium add-on.
Industry-Wide Call to Action
To address these concerns, the report offers strategic recommendations for employers, platforms, and regulators seeking to strengthen digital hiring integrity:
- Deploy verification badge systems to deter impersonation
- Implement AI-powered screening tools to detect and block fraudulent job postings
- Enhance collaboration with regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Manpower and Infocomm Media Development Authority on cross-platform enforcement
- Run public awareness campaigns to educate jobseekers on red flags and reporting mechanisms
Reeracoen advocates for industry collaboration and policy alignment to build a more resilient, transparent digital hiring ecosystem.
To download the full report or explore Reeracoen's recruitment services, visit:
About Reeracoen Singapore
Reeracoen is an award-winning leader in Asia's recruitment landscape, connecting top-tier talent with forward-thinking organisations across the region. With 9 offices across 6 major Asian countries, we combine deep local networks with cross-border hiring expertise to help businesses grow faster and stronger.
Our excellence has been recognised with recent awards such as:
- Best Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency 2025
- Best International Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency 2024
- Best Executive Recruitment Agency 2024
In Singapore, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service quality, providing innovative and trusted recruitment solutions to help businesses and candidates succeed in an evolving digital economy. For more information, visit www.reeracoen.sg and follow us on social media.
About Rakuten Insight Global, Inc.
Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. ("Rakuten Insight") is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., a global leader in internet services, headquartered in Tokyo. Rakuten Insight was established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and became part of the Rakuten Group in 2014. Rakuten Insight possesses a research panel focusing on 12 major Asian markets & the US and a panel network covering 60 countries and regions. With offices in 11 countries and regions, Rakuten Insight provides market research for over 500 leading companies around the world. Rakuten Insight Singapore serves as an off-shore market research hub to drive business development and provide multi-lingual and multi-functional operational support for clients based across Southeast Asia. For more information, visit https://insight.rakuten.com/ and follow us on social media.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
1 in 3 Singapore Jobseekers Tricked by Scams, Reeracoen Survey Warns as Digital Hiring Surges
1 in 3 Singapore Jobseekers Tricked by Scams, Reeracoen Survey Warns as Digital Hiring Surges
- CATL opens Middle East's first NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh —currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China.
- The facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
- It also functions as a regional ecosystem hub linking diverse stakeholders and resources to drive industrial synergy and sustainable growth.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.
Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.
A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services
Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.
Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services
helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.
Advancing localized operations and capability building
The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.
Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.
These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.
"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.
"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S.
Part of a global network
The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.
A long-term commitment to the Middle East
Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.
"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."
As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.
Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.
A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services
Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.
Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services
helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.
Advancing localized operations and capability building
The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.
Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.
These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.
"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.
"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S.
Part of a global network
The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.
A long-term commitment to the Middle East
Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.
"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."
As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
