The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday, April 16, sent out a notice warning unsuspecting individuals of fake job offers within the organization.
Through the notice, UNICEF detailed how fraudsters are seeking to defraud gullible Kenyans by using the organisation's logo and other official details to receive payment for the illegitimate jobs.
The con job also entailed using social media platforms to entice job-seeking persons into the scheme. Through the notice, UNICEF also gave an example of a fake job offer that the fraudsters use in their activities.
“UNICEF is aware of fictitious employment offers being circulated via email, social media or online job boards. Many of these schemes consist of an alleged offer of employment or contract with UNICEF in return for the payment of fees or providing personal or banking information,” stated UNICEF.
“Such fraudulent correspondence may appear legitimate: they may feature a UNICEF logo, appear to originate from an official-looking email address or website, or they may be sent by individuals purporting to represent UNICEF or an entity which includes the word ‘UNICEF' in its name. These fraudulent schemes mislead individuals with the purpose of extracting money and/or personal information,” they further added.
While notifying of the swindle job, UNICEF clarified its employment policy and detailed how job opportunities within the global body are advertised to the general public.
“UNICEF only advertises its employment opportunities on its global careers website and the vacancies page, or on the websites of its national committees. UNICEF also utilises bona fide and established media, newspapers, as well as online professional platforms (e.g. LinkedIn) and job boards to disseminate its vacancies. All job offers are made by UNICEF human resources personnel following a competitive process,” it stated.
UNICEF forewarned against sharing one’s personal or banking information as well as engaging in any transactions with the frauds. As per the UN body, financial loss and identity theft could result from the sending of money or personal information to those issuing such fraudulent correspondence.
In addition, they encouraged victims of any job scheme involving UNICEF to notify the local authorities while providing an option to report to their internal investigations team.
“If you fall victim to fraud, it is recommended that you contact local law enforcement authorities immediately. If you wish to report any potential fraudulent activities related to UNICEF, please contact UNICEF’s Office of Internal Audit and Investigations,” it noted.
The latest comes as the UN is currently undergoing a reorganisation that will see its Nairobi offices entrusted with more programmes than it currently has.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 12, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that moving programmes from expensive locations like Vienna, Geneva, and New York to Nairobi was among the ways the UN was looking into cutting costs and improving efficiency.
According to Guterres, this step will be an especially efficient one, as the UN has already put in the work to improve its United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hub in Nairobi. The transfer would include two major UN divisions: the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
