A sophisticated impersonation scam is targeting communications professionals across multiple regions, with fraudsters falsely claiming to represent Instinctif Partners—a respected global strategic communications consultancy. This scheme exploits the firm’s strong reputation in corporate communications, public policy, and capital markets to lure unsuspecting candidates into providing personal information. As the communications sector continues to grow, understanding these specialized recruitment scams has become essential for professionals seeking legitimate opportunities.
Overview of The Instinctif Partners Impersonation Scam
Instinctif Partners, an insights-led strategic corporate and financial communications consultancy with 201-500 employees globally, has become the latest target for sophisticated job scammers. With a strong presence across multiple regions, including dedicated subsidiaries like Instinctif Partners Africa and Instinctif Partners Dublin, the firm’s international footprint provides scammers with a convincing cover for targeting communications professionals worldwide.
Unlike generic employment scams, these impersonators leverage Instinctif’s specialized industry focus in capital markets, corporate communications, public policy, ESG, and crisis management to create convincing approaches. By mimicking legitimate recruitment for specialized communications roles, scammers create an air of authenticity that can deceive even experienced professionals in the field.
The fraud typically begins with unsolicited messages claiming to represent Instinctif Partners’ talent acquisition team, often referencing specific communications experience that makes targets believe they’ve been carefully selected. These approaches frequently reference legitimate Instinctif specialties such as corporate reporting, sustainability communications, or crisis management—all areas where the real Instinctif Partners has established expertise.
What makes this scam particularly concerning is the increasing demand for communications professionals across industries. As organizations worldwide place greater emphasis on strategic messaging, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement, qualified communications specialists are actively seeking new opportunities—creating a fertile environment for targeted recruitment fraud.
Communication Patterns: Multi-Channel Sophistication
Scammers impersonating Instinctif Partners deploy sophisticated, multi-channel communication strategies designed to appear legitimate while avoiding detection:
Initial Text Outreach
The first contact typically arrives via text message, which diverges from legitimate communications recruitment practices but has become standard in scam approaches. These initial texts often include:
- References to the recipient’s communications experience, often pulled directly from LinkedIn profiles
- Specific mentions of Instinctif Partners by name, sometimes referencing departments like “Corporate Team” or “Public Affairs Practice”
- Claims that the recipient has been “identified” or “recommended” for communications opportunities
- Mentions of urgent client needs requiring rapid talent acquisition
- Brief descriptions of contract or permanent roles with above-market compensation
- Requests to respond via text, WhatsApp, or non-corporate email addresses
Email Communication Tactics
For those who respond to the initial text, subsequent interactions often shift to email, with several recognizable characteristics:
- Email addresses that approximate but don’t match Instinctif’s legitimate domain (@instinctif.com)
- Common variations include domains like instinctif-partners.com, instinctif-careers.com, or instinctifteam.com
- Professional formatting with copied logos, signatures, and branding elements from the legitimate firm
- Attachments containing “job descriptions” or “candidate information packs” that may contain tracking software
- References to real Instinctif clients and campaigns gleaned from public sources
- Requests for updated CVs, writing samples, or communications portfolios
Voice Communications
More sophisticated versions of the scam may include phone conversations with individuals claiming to be Instinctif Partners consultants or HR representatives:
- Callers typically use VoIP services that display UK or international numbers matching Instinctif office locations
- Conversations begin with standard screening questions about communications experience
- Limited technical questions about communications strategies despite recruiting for specialized roles
- Rapid progression to personal information requests for “pre-employment screening”
- Vague descriptions of client needs and project requirements when pressed for details
Red Flags: Identifying Fake Instinctif Partners Job Offer Scams
While these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, several warning signs can help identify fraudulent approaches claiming to be from Instinctif Partners:
1. Communication Channel Inconsistencies
Legitimate global consultancies like Instinctif Partners follow established professional protocols:
- Official recruitment begins through corporate email addresses or LinkedIn InMail, not text messages
- All legitimate emails come exclusively from the @instinctif.com domain
- Professional communications maintain consistent branding, formatting, and tone
- Initial contacts provide clear reference to the specific role and recruitment process
- Follow-up communications come from consistent personnel with verifiable corporate identities
2. Unusual Recruitment Processes
Strategic communications recruitment, especially for an established consultancy like Instinctif, follows predictable patterns:
- Detailed discussion of specific communications experience relevant to client needs
- Multiple interview stages with different stakeholders (practice leads, team members, HR)
- Skills assessments appropriate to the role (writing tests, strategic scenario planning, media relations exercises)
- Clear articulation of reporting structures and team composition
- Transparent discussion of client sectors and project types, even if specific clients remain confidential
Scams typically compress these processes, moving quickly from initial contact to requests for personal information without proper vetting steps.
3. Knowledge Gaps in Communications Expertise
As specialists in strategic communications, genuine Instinctif Partners consultants demonstrate deep industry knowledge:
- Detailed understanding of communications challenges in specific sectors
- Familiarity with current media landscapes and stakeholder dynamics
- Knowledge of regulatory environments affecting corporate communications
- Ability to discuss recent campaigns, thought leadership, or industry trends
- References to specific communications methodologies and approaches
Scammers often reveal themselves through generic descriptions and lack of specific industry knowledge when pressed for details about communications strategies or client challenges.
4. Inappropriate Information Requests
Legitimate communications recruitment processes, especially in early stages, have clear boundaries around information gathering:
Legitimate Early-Stage Requests:
- CV/Resume and LinkedIn profile
- Writing samples or campaign examples (with confidential information redacted)
- General availability and notice period
- Broad salary expectations
- Geographic flexibility
Suspicious Requests:
- Bank account details for “payroll setup” before formal interviews
- National Insurance or Social Security numbers in initial stages
- Passport or ID document copies before job offers
- Home address details early in the process
- Requests for payment for “portfolio review” or “application processing”
5. Urgency and Pressure Tactics
Professional communications recruitment, especially for strategic roles, typically follows measured timelines:
- Reasonable time to review materials and prepare for discussions
- Clear explanation of recruitment stages and approximate timelines
- Respect for candidates’ need to evaluate opportunities thoughtfully
- Transparent communication about hiring timelines and decision processes
Scammers create artificial urgency through:
- “Crisis client needs” requiring immediate starts
- Claims about roles being filled within days if you don’t respond quickly
- Pressure to provide personal information to “secure your candidacy”
- Mentions of “other qualified candidates” ready to take the position
6. Cross-Border Inconsistencies
With operations across multiple countries, legitimate Instinctif Partners recruitment considers geographic logistics:
- Clear identification of the office location for the role
- Discussion of work permit and visa requirements for international positions
- Alignment of compensation discussions with local market standards
- Awareness of country-specific employment regulations and practices
Scammers often ignore these practical considerations, offering UK-based or international roles to candidates without addressing relocation logistics or work authorization requirements.
Protection Strategies: Safeguarding Your Communications Career
To protect yourself from recruitment scams impersonating Instinctif Partners and similar strategic communications consultancies, implement these protective measures:
1. Verify Through Official Channels
- Connect only through Instinctif’s official website: instinctif.com
- Use the published contact email: [email protected]
- Call published office numbers directly for verification
- Check the recruiter’s profile on LinkedIn, including connection to verified Instinctif employees
- Message Instinctif’s official LinkedIn page to verify the recruiter’s identity
2. Evaluate Communications Expertise
- Ask specific questions about recent Instinctif campaigns or thought leadership
- Inquire about the structure of the team you’d be joining
- Request details about the clients or sectors you’d be supporting
- Discuss current communications challenges in your specialty area
- Evaluate whether responses demonstrate genuine expertise or generic statements
3. Maintain Professional Boundaries
- Keep early discussions focused on professional qualifications and role requirements
- Decline to provide personal financial information until formal offers
- Request video interviews where you can see the recruiter, preferably through corporate platforms
- Document all communications and follow up in writing after phone conversations
- Verify any mentioned clients or projects through independent research
4. Research Industry Context
- Familiarize yourself with current communications industry trends and hiring patterns
- Cross-reference salary offers against industry benchmarks for your specialty
- Verify described roles align with actual market needs in communications
- Check recruiter names against Instinctif’s published team on their website and LinkedIn
- Research recent Instinctif Partners news to understand their current focus areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Instinctif Partners Job Offer Text Legitimate?
No, unsolicited job offers from Instinctif Partners sent via text message are not legitimate. As a global strategic communications consultancy, Instinctif Partners adheres to professional recruitment practices, which include initial contact through corporate channels such as email from an @instinctif.com address or LinkedIn. Text messages claiming to be from Instinctif Partners, especially those offering positions you haven’t applied for, are almost certainly fraudulent attempts to collect personal information.
Is Instinctif Partners a Legitimate Recruitment Agency?
No, Instinctif Partners is not a recruitment agency. It is a legitimate global strategic communications consultancy specializing in corporate communications, public policy, capital markets, content creation, and reputation management. With 201-500 employees across multiple international locations, Instinctif provides communications counsel to organizations but does not operate as a recruitment firm. The company does, however, hire communications professionals for its own teams through legitimate channels. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating Instinctif’s recruitment team, not the company operating as a recruitment agency.
What Should I Do If I’ve Already Engaged with a Suspected Scammer?
If you’ve already responded to someone claiming to be from Instinctif Partners and suspect it might be a scam:
- Cease all communication immediately
- Do not provide any additional personal or financial information
- Contact Instinctif Partners directly through their official website to report the incident
- Change passwords for any accounts if you’ve shared login information
- Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity
- Report the incident to appropriate authorities (Action Fraud in the UK, FTC in the US, or equivalent in your country)
- Alert professional networks about the scam to protect colleagues
How Can I Verify a Legitimate Instinctif Partners Recruiter?
To verify whether someone genuinely represents Instinctif Partners:
- Confirm they’re using an @instinctif.com email address
- Call Instinctif’s main office numbers to verify the person works there
- Check their LinkedIn profile for an established history with the company
- Verify they appear on the company’s team page or have endorsements from verified Instinctif employees
- Ask specific questions about Instinctif’s recent work that a genuine team member would know
What Makes Communications Industry Scams Different from Other Job Scams?
Communications industry recruitment scams have distinct characteristics:
- They target professionals with portfolio-based skills that can be requested and evaluated remotely
- Scammers frequently request writing samples or creative work that may be used inappropriately
- They reference high-profile clients and campaigns to establish credibility
- The scams often exploit confidentiality norms in the communications industry
- They capitalize on the project-based nature of communications work to create plausible short-term opportunities
The Broader Context: Professional Services Impersonation Trend
The Instinctif Partners impersonation scam represents part of a troubling pattern of increasingly sophisticated recruitment fraud targeting professional services firms. Similar schemes have recently affected organizations across multiple sectors:
Heat Recruitment: A specialist recruitment agency whose name has been used to target professionals in technology, financial services, and legal sectors.
Atherton Hunt: Energy sector specialists impersonated by scammers targeting professionals in renewables and emerging technologies.
Kirkland & Ellis: Legal professionals targeted by scammers impersonating this prestigious law firm’s recruitment team.
This trend reflects a strategic shift by scammers from generic employment fraud toward industry-specific targeting with greater investment in creating convincing approaches. The professional services focus is particularly concerning because:
- High-value targets: These sectors typically offer above-average compensation, making financial fraud more lucrative
- Professional credibility: Established firms with strong reputations lend immediate credibility to approaches
- Information value: Personal and professional data from these sectors has significant value on dark web markets
- Remote work normalization: The shift toward flexible working arrangements makes remote recruitment more plausible
- LinkedIn accessibility: Detailed professional profiles provide scammers with convincing personalization options
Conclusion: Vigilance in Communications Career Development
As strategic communications continues to grow in importance across industries, professionals must balance career development opportunities with heightened security awareness. The targeting of Instinctif Partners demonstrates that even the most respected communications consultancies can be impersonated by sophisticated scammers.
The most effective protection combines professional network verification with systematic authentication practices. Remember that legitimate communications recruiters—whether for consultancies like Instinctif or in-house roles—demonstrate genuine industry knowledge, maintain professional communication standards, and follow logical recruitment processes appropriate to strategic roles.
By understanding the specific tactics used in these impersonation scams and implementing consistent verification practices, communications professionals can protect themselves while still pursuing legitimate career advancement. In today’s increasingly complex recruitment landscape, the responsibility for security falls heavily on individual job seekers to verify before engaging.
The real Instinctif Partners, like other legitimate organizations, has a vested interest in protecting its reputation and preventing imposters from exploiting its name. By reporting suspicious communications and maintaining high standards for verification, professionals can help combat these scams while protecting their own career paths and personal information in an industry built on trust and credibility.
