The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has warned Nigerians to be vigilant amid a surge in online recruitment scams targeting unsuspecting job seekers.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the commission issued the alert via its official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, highlighting the tactics used by fraudsters to deceive the public.
According to PenCom, the fraudsters are deploying various communication channels, including WhatsApp, emails, and personal phone numbers, to lure victims with fake job offers.
The commission said the scammers often contact individuals, urging them to urgently submit personal details under the guise of facilitating employment opportunities.
PenCom revealed that one of the common strategies used by the fraudsters is to create a false sense of urgency.
“The scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming a 48-hour deadline to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information,” the commission stated.
It added that such pressure tactics are designed to prevent victims from verifying the authenticity of the requests.
The commission further warned that scammers typically request confidential documents to be sent to a so-called “secretary” via WhatsApp, a major red flag indicating fraudulent activity.
It urged Nigerians to be cautious of any recruitment process that relies on informal communication channels or unusual submission methods.
PenCom also disclosed that several reports had emerged of fraudsters impersonating the Director-General of the commission in a bid to appear credible.
The agency warned that such impersonation is part of a broader scheme to exploit public trust.
Advising Nigerians, the commission said, “Do not respond to suspicious WhatsApp messages or emails. Delete them immediately and refrain from sharing them with others.”
It reiterated the need for the public to verify all job-related communications through official channels.
PenCom assured that it is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to safeguard Nigeria’s pension system from fraudulent activities.
The commission noted that protecting pension assets and maintaining public trust remain top priorities.
The warning comes on the heels of a recent crackdown by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which shut down over 400 fraudulent investment schemes across the country.