The National Pension Commission has raised concerns about the growing rate of recruitment scams targeting Nigerians, urging citizens to remain alert and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
In a message shared on its official X platform on Tuesday, the commission explained that scammers are now pretending to be its officials in order to trick unsuspecting job seekers. These individuals are using different communication channels such as WhatsApp, emails, and phone calls to present fake job offers supposedly linked to the commission.
According to PenCom, these fraudsters have become more sophisticated in their approach, making their schemes appear convincing. They often contact individuals directly, claiming that job opportunities are available and requesting immediate action from their targets.
“The scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming a 48-hour deadline to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information,” the commission stated.
The commission further revealed that victims are usually asked to send personal and confidential details, including identification documents and other private records, to someone posing as a “secretary” through WhatsApp. PenCom described this method as a major warning sign that should not be ignored.
In some cases, the scammers go as far as impersonating the Director-General of the commission to make their messages look more legitimate and trustworthy. This tactic, the commission noted, is designed to gain the confidence of victims and increase the chances of success.
“Do not respond to suspicious WhatsApp messages or emails. Delete them immediately and refrain from sharing them with others,” PenCom advised.
The commission stressed that it does not conduct recruitment through unofficial platforms or request sensitive information in such a manner. It encouraged Nigerians to always verify job-related messages through its official communication channels before taking any action.
Reaffirming its responsibility to protect pension funds and public trust, PenCom urged the public to stay cautious, remain informed, and report any suspicious activity. By doing so, Nigerians can better protect themselves from falling prey to these increasingly common recruitment scams.
