Police warn Nigerians against fake NNPC, CBN job offers

The Adamawa State Police Command has raised the alarm over a growing scam targeting job seekers and other members of the public through fake employment, contract and government empowerment offers.

The Command said fraudsters were posing as engineers and officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Central Bank of Nigeria and other government institutions to deceive unsuspecting victims.

The warning was contained in a public advisory issued on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

According to the police, the suspects make unsolicited calls and messages to potential victims, claiming to have access to employment slots, government contracts, empowerment funds and other opportunities.

The fraudsters then allegedly demand payments from their targets, describing the money as fees for processing applications, obtaining forms or activating accounts.

“The criminals call innocent citizens claiming to have job slots, contracts, or empowerment funds and demand money for processing, forms, or account activation,” the statement said.

The Command stressed that genuine recruitment exercises, contract awards and government disbursements by agencies such as the NNPCL and CBN are not conducted through unsolicited private phone calls or WhatsApp messages.

It therefore urged residents to disregard such approaches and verify any purported opportunity directly through the official communication channels of the organisation concerned.

The police also warned members of the public against sharing sensitive personal and financial information with strangers.

Among the details residents were advised to protect are their Bank Verification Numbers, National Identification Numbers, bank account details and One-Time Passwords.

The Command said anyone who receives suspicious calls or messages should report them to the nearest police station or the Adamawa State Police Command Control Room.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and conduct independent checks before making payments or providing personal information in response to unsolicited offers.