Job advertisements appearing in Telegram chats about Georgia have raised suspicions that Russian recruiters may be behind a scheme to recruit workers for jobs in Russia.

According to the project investigating the case, one man found an advertisement in a Tbilisi-based chat offering work in Tbilisi and Rustavi for 200 Georgian lari (approximately $76-77) per day, according to Pro Georgia.

Applicants were promised free accommodation, three meals a day and a six-day working week.

The man presented himself as a candidate with construction experience but was told that recruitment for jobs in Georgia had already ended. The recruiter then said that communications specialists and security guards were needed for work in Russia.

The positions reportedly offered monthly salaries of 170,000-210,000 Russian rubles (approximately $2,050-2,530), advances every 10 days and free flights from Tbilisi to Moscow. Applicants were asked to provide their passport details, while a person described as a “logistics coordinator” was expected to arrange the trip.

Later, the recruiter said candidates would need to sign two contracts: one with the employer and another with Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

In a voice message, the recruiter reportedly explained that the contracts were required to obtain the relevant “licenses” for working in border areas.

The circumstances have raised concerns that seemingly ordinary job offers could be used to recruit people for work connected to Russia’s military or security activities.