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NUPRC uncovers AI-generated fake employment letters as fraudsters impersonate the Commission to deceive unsuspecting job seekers across Nigeria.
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Criminal syndicates are allegedly extorting desperate applicants, demanding money with false promises of securing employment into the upstream petroleum regulator.
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Commission reports the scam to law enforcement agencies, as investigations intensify to identify, arrest, and prosecute those behind the fraudulent operation.
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NUPRC reiterates that no recruitment exercise is ongoing, urging Nigerians to ignore unsolicited job offers and rely solely on official government channels for employment announcements.
August 11, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has raised the alarm over a sophisticated recruitment scam involving fake and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated employment letters, warning Nigerians not to fall prey to fraudsters falsely claiming to offer jobs at the Commission.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the Commission disclosed that criminal elements have been circulating forged employment letters bearing the names of persons unknown to the regulator while demanding money from unsuspecting job seekers in exchange for fictitious appointments.
The NUPRC described the scheme as a calculated attempt to exploit the country’s challenging employment situation, noting that the fraudsters are leveraging advances in artificial intelligence to produce convincing appointment letters capable of misleading members of the public.
According to the Commission, reports reaching its headquarters indicate that the syndicates have been extorting money from desperate applicants under the false pretext of facilitating employment into the upstream petroleum regulatory agency.
The Commission stressed that the activities are entirely fraudulent and have no connection whatsoever with the NUPRC.
“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission 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.
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It added that the matter has already been reported to relevant law enforcement agencies, which have commenced investigations to track down those responsible for the fraudulent operation.
“While the NUPRC has reported the activities of these criminal elements to law enforcement agencies and awaits an outcome of the investigation, members of the public are advised to be circumspect so they don’t fall victim”, the Commission stated.
The regulator emphatically declared that it is not conducting any recruitment exercise, urging Nigerians to disregard any employment letter, online advertisement, social media post, or individual claiming to be recruiting on its behalf.
It maintained that any future recruitment by the Commission would be conducted transparently and strictly in compliance with extant laws, government regulations, and established public service procedures.
The Commission further advised prospective job seekers to verify all employment-related information through its official communication channels and to refrain from making payments to any individual or organisation promising employment opportunities.
Background
Recruitment fraud has become increasingly prevalent in Nigeria as cybercriminals exploit high unemployment rates and the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence tools to produce fake appointment letters, forged official documents, and convincing digital communications bearing the names and logos of government institutions.
Several federal ministries, departments, and agencies have issued similar warnings in recent years, reiterating that recruitment into government establishments is never conducted through unofficial agents or in exchange for payments. The NUPRC’s latest advisory underscores growing concerns over the use of AI technology by fraudsters to perpetrate increasingly sophisticated employment scams and highlights the need for greater public vigilance.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
