Men seeking jobs in Qatar have been warned that advertisements claiming they can use a tourist visa to work in a massage shop there are false and they could be lured into the illegal flesh trade.
The warning came from the Thai embassy in Doha, the capital of Qatar, deputy permanent secretary for labour Waranon Pitiwan said.
The advertisements had been posted on Facebook by a user identified only as Chaicharn, and said overseas job seekers could work at massage shops using only a tourist visa.
This was not true and against the law in Qatar, said Mr Waranon, acting director-general of the Employment Department.
Job seekers entering Qatar without employment contracts were not given work permits by their employers. Some massage shops also offered sex services for customers, said Mr Waranon.
The problem was most rife among masseurs at massage shops for men. In Qatar, service providers and customers at massage shops must be of the same sex, he said.
He warned overseas job seekers not to be taken in by such online advertisements. They might lose money they pay to the job agents and also be at risk working there.
Mr Warnon said any people with knowledge of job scams should advise the nearest provincial employment office.