The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has warned job seekers and members of the public against fraudsters circulating fake employment letters and extorting money under the guise of securing jobs in the commission.
The commission said there was currently no ongoing recruitment exercise, describing employment letters circulating on social media as fake and, in some cases, AI-generated.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the NUPRC Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.
According to the commission, it had received reports of fake employment letters bearing the names of persons unknown to the organisation.
It also said some unscrupulous individuals had been extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public by falsely claiming to have connections that could secure employment for them at the commission.
“The NUPRC wishes to inform the general public about the proliferation of fake and AI-generated employment letters bearing the names of persons unknown to the Commission,” the statement said.
The commission added that it had received reports that “some unscrupulous and criminal elements have been extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretext of helping them to secure employment at the Commission.”
It said the activities of the suspected fraudsters had been reported to relevant law enforcement agencies, adding that it was awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
The NUPRC stressed that there was no ongoing recruitment exercise in the commission.
“The NUPRC states categorically that there is no ongoing recruitment exercise at the Commission,” it said.
The commission explained that whenever it decides to recruit, the process would be conducted strictly in accordance with extant laws and government regulations.
“However, when the Commission does decide to recruit, it will be done strictly in line with the extant laws and government regulations,” it added.
The NUPRC therefore urged job seekers and members of the public to exercise caution and avoid individuals demanding money or presenting questionable employment documents purportedly issued by the commission.