Avoiding scams

Warnings from the German Embassy Jakarta, the Indonesian Embassy Berlin and Indonesian law.

Typical patterns

• Fees for permits that do not exist. The Indonesian Embassy in Berlin (police attaché, early 2025) warned against illegal agents for "Ausbildung/Magang" in Europe, with fee patterns of Rp 150,000 plus €150 for a "letter of acceptance" plus €200 for a "working permit". Germany has no such documents to buy.
• Placement fees. Under Article 30(1) of Law 18/2017 an Indonesian migrant worker cannot be charged placement costs. Anyone asking for a "biaya penempatan" for a job in Germany is a warning sign. See Indonesian rules.
• Private "agents". Only KP2MI (government, including Triple Win), a licensed P3MI, or a company recruiting for its own needs may place workers abroad (Art. 49). Private persons who place workers face up to 10 years in prison (Art. 69 and 81).
• Fake training and job offers, "guaranteed placement", admission letters sold by an agent, and requests for passport scans or private bank transfers.

How to check before you pay anything

• A real offer is a signed contract with a named German employer – you can look the company up in the German commercial register, call its published number and check its website.
• Nursing: employers and agencies carrying the seal "Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland" pay all recruitment and language-course costs themselves. List: faire-anwerbung-pflege-deutschland.de.
• Placement through the ZAV of the German Federal Employment Agency is free.
• Free, independent advice on your qualification: ProRecognition at AHK Indonesia, see Recognition.
• Check current registration duties at kp2mi.go.id.

Already in Berlin and being exploited? See Already in Berlin? for free counselling that is independent of your residence status.