The “recruiter” sounded legitimate, the role sounded perfect, and the only catch was an upfront fee for “training”, “credentials verification”, “equipment” or “onboarding”. Then the job never materialised — or worse, the role was a front for processing scam funds, which is a criminal trap in itself.
The legal context
Genuine Australian recruiters do not charge candidates fees — they’re paid by employers. Any operator collecting payment from a candidate is either operating in a grey area or running a straight scam. Where they’re an Australian-registered entity, the Australian Consumer Law’s prohibition on misleading or deceptive conduct (s 18) applies, alongside statutory guarantees if any “service” was promised. Common-law deceit applies regardless of structure.
Realistic outcomes
If the “recruiter” was an offshore operator using a Gmail address and a fake LinkedIn profile, recovery is unlikely. Be honest about that. But many job scams involve registered Australian entities exploiting vulnerable jobseekers — international students, recent migrants, jobseekers under pressure. For those operators, a Letter of Demand to them is a separate option.
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1. Who is this about?
2. How much is at stake?
3. Do you have it in writing?
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The document approach
The written demand goes to your own bank, not the recruiter. It attaches the advertisement, the payment evidence and any messages, says when you reported the scam, and asks the bank to reimburse you within 30 days, citing its scam obligations. If the bank refuses or does not respond in time, the next step is a complaint to AFCA.
What Claim Done delivers
For a flat fee, Claim Done drafts a written demand to your own bank to reimburse you, citing its scam obligations (the ePayments Code, the Banking Code of Practice and, where it applies, the Scams Prevention Framework), plus an AFCA complaint if the bank refuses. If the recruiter is an identifiable Australian, a Letter of Demand to them is a separate option.
What to expect after
Send the letter, file with Scamwatch, and report to ReportCyber. If you suspect the role was a money-mule scheme (you were asked to receive and forward funds), stop immediately and tell your bank — you can be charged with money-laundering offences regardless of intent.
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What happens when you put it in writing — properly
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Scam Recovery Letter drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Scam Recovery Letter from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $97 AUD. You read and confirm the draft, then the final PDF is emailed to you. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=scam-recovery. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Scam Recovery Letter cost, and how long does it take?
$97 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Do I need a lawyer to send a Scam Recovery Letter in Australia?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write or send a Scam Recovery Letter; many people send their own. Claim Done drafts it for you and you approve it before it is sent.