PenCom Warns Nigerians of Rising Job Scams After SEC Shuts Down 400 Fraudulent Schemes

Fresh fears over online fraud have emerged as the National Pension Commission (PenCom) warns Nigerians to stay alert amid a surge in fake recruitment schemes targeting job seekers.

The commission said fraudsters are increasingly using WhatsApp, emails, and personal phone numbers to lure victims with bogus job offers, often demanding sensitive personal details under false pretences.

The warning comes shortly after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shut down more than 400 fraudulent investment schemes across the country, a crackdown that appears to have pushed scammers into alternative tactics.

According to PenCom, one of the most common strategies used by these fraudsters is to create artificial urgency, giving victims tight deadlines — sometimes as short as 48 hours — to submit personal information.

The agency also flagged requests for confidential documents sent via WhatsApp to unknown individuals, often described as a “secretary,” as a major red flag.

In some cases, scammers have gone as far as impersonating top officials within the commission, including the Director-General, to make their messages appear legitimate.

PenCom stressed that genuine recruitment processes do not involve unsolicited messages requesting sensitive information through informal or unsecured channels.

The commission advised the public to ignore and delete suspicious messages immediately, warning that engaging with such content could expose individuals to financial loss and identity theft.

As digital fraud continues to evolve, authorities say increased awareness and caution are critical in helping Nigerians avoid falling victim to these schemes.