The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has issued a warning to Nigerians to remain vigilant against a rise in online recruitment scams that specifically target job seekers. In a statement shared on its official X account, the commission highlighted that fraudsters are utilizing messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and email, as well as personal phone numbers, to reach potential victims. These scammers often impersonate recruitment agents and create a false sense of urgency, frequently claiming that there is a 48-hour deadline to pressure individuals into divulging personal and sensitive information.
PenCom detailed several common tactics employed in these schemes. One prevalent method involves requesting confidential documents to be sent to a so-called “secretary” via WhatsApp. Additionally, scammers may impersonate senior officials, including the Director-General of the commission, to lend credibility to their fraudulent offers. In light of these tactics, the commission urged the public to delete any suspicious messages immediately and to refrain from sharing them further.
Furthermore, PenCom advised job seekers to verify any recruitment communications directly through official channels before responding. This warning is part of broader efforts by Nigerian financial regulators to combat online fraud. Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took action by shutting down more than 400 illegal investment schemes across the country. PenCom emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s pension assets and to safeguard citizens from financial exploitation.
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