FG warns Nigerians against fake diplomatic recruitment scams.

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The federal government has warned Nigerians to disregard any fake diplomatic recruitment message currently circulating online, describing it as fraudulent and designed to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

In a press statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Saturday, the ministry said the false message claimed to offer employment in the Nigerian Diplomatic Service under the Consular Section of Nigerian embassies abroad.

The ministry explained that the fraudulent message also claimed that some applicants had been shortlisted for diplomatic appointments and directed them to make payments for the processing of a so-called “credence note”.

It stated that the communication was entirely fake and the handiwork of fraudsters seeking to extort money from unsuspecting Nigerians.

The ministry stressed that Nigerian missions abroad are currently not recruiting and warned the public not to fall victim to the scam.

It also clarified that recruitment exercises into the Ministry and the Nigerian Foreign Service are not conducted through email messages, WhatsApp platforms, or unsolicited contacts.

It explained that all legitimate recruitment into the Nigerian Foreign Service is conducted officially through the Federal Civil Service Commission.

According to the statement, “The ministry wishes to state unequivocally that the communication is fake and misleading and the handiwork of unscrupulous elements seeking to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“No fees are required at any stage of recruitment or diplomatic postings within the ministry or Nigeria’s missions abroad.

“The Ministry does not authorise any individual or entity to request payments on its behalf for employment or diplomatic appointments.”

The Ministry also accused the fraudsters of deliberately attempting to mislead the public by referencing security clearance procedures and falsely attributing the message to the Ministry’s spokesperson.

“The inclusion of a reference to DSS clearance and attribution to the ministry’s spokesperson in the fraudulent message is a deliberate attempt to deceive the public,” the statement said.

The Ministry advised members of the public to completely ignore such messages and report anyone demanding money for diplomatic appointments or recruitment.

It urged victims or persons who may have received similar messages to report immediately to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, integrity and the protection of Nigerians from fraudulent schemes, adding that enquiries and verification should only be made through its official communication channels.