The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has raised the alarm over “a fraudulent employment scheme currently making the rounds online, and especially on various social media platforms”.
In a statement it issued on Friday, the agency said fraudulent persons have also been known to contact innocent people through e-mail, social media and other forms of internet publication soliciting payment, inducement, advance fees or other favours in exchange for employment.
“Victims stand the risk of extortion, hence, members of the public are warned not to make any payment whatsoever to unscrupulous persons parading themselves as employment agents.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any party that puts itself forward as acting on behalf of NIMASA for the purpose of recruitment is completely false and NIMASA disclaims and bears no responsibility whatsoever for their action. “NIMASA does not communicate employment vacancies through third party online channels, emails or social media platforms. NIMASA hereby expressly disassociates itself from such fraudulent online publications and posts and warns the unsuspecting public not to fall victims to such baseless and false schemes in the guise of employment opportunity.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to treat with suspicion any such offerings and verify their claims in order not to fall prey to these scammers, as NIMASA has not designated any entity or persons to act on its behalf.
“Please report such incidents to [email protected] or the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” the agency said.
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