By Ncaba Ntshakala
Beware!
The United Nations in Eswatini has issued a warning regarding a troubling increase in fraudulent job offers aimed at recent graduates.
As the nation grapples with the notorious “facata scammers,” who have been implicated in significant financial fraud, the UN is stepping forward to protect job seekers from similar deceitful practices.
The statement highlights that scammers are misusing the reputable names of UN agencies to solicit money from hopeful job applicants.
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Disturbingly, some graduates have reported being asked to pay up to E8,000 for false employment opportunities purportedly linked to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The UN categorically denies any association with these fraudulent claims, asserting that they have no connection to UNDP or any other UN agency.
“The United Nations operates a transparent, fee-free recruitment process,” the statement emphasized.
Job applications can only be submitted through official online portals, and the UN does not impose any fees for applications, processing, training, interviews, testing, or any other component of the hiring process.
This assertion aims to clarify the UN’s legitimate hiring practices, which are designed to prevent exploitation of vulnerable job seekers.
Considering these deceptive practices, the UN urges individuals approached for payment in exchange for job offers to recognize it as a scam and to refrain from engaging with the perpetrators.
Furthermore, the UN cautions that fraudsters can easily replicate UN logos, names, and addresses, making it increasingly challenging for applicants to discern genuine offers from scams.
“Be particularly cautious when sharing personal information online,” the statement advises, warning that involvement in such scams can lead to severe consequences, including financial loss and identity theft.
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The UN stresses that it bears no responsibility for any losses or thefts that arise from these fraudulent claims.
To combat this issue, the UN encourages the public to rely solely on official communications from the United Nations in Eswatini or the websites of individual UN agencies for information about job openings.
In case of falling victim to a job scam, individuals are urged to report the incident to local law enforcement authorities to facilitate further action.
