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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a strong warning to the public over the activities of fraudsters who are using its name to circulate fake recruitment advertisements and tender invitations on counterfeit websites.
In a statement released by the Commission on Thursday, the regional body explained that the false announcements are the handiwork of individuals with malicious intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
ECOWAS said the fraudulent posts often mimic its official communications and are designed to extort money or obtain personal information from victims.
The Commission clarified that it does not charge any fees for the recruitment of staff or consultants, nor does it require payments for participation in tenders or public procurement exercises.
It stressed that at no time does ECOWAS request bank account details, financial information, or any form of monetary contribution from applicants, contractors, or partners.
According to the statement, the public should rely exclusively on ECOWAS’s verified communication channels for accurate information.
The organisation listed its official platforms as its website and verified accounts on social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
ECOWAS urged the public to be highly vigilant against false information and online scams, describing such activities as acts of cybercrime punishable by law.
Read also: ECOWAS warns of growing threat to democracy, security in West Africa
The Commission noted that it reserves the right to initiate legal action against individuals or groups found guilty of impersonating the organization or attempting to defraud the public in its name.
The statement further called on citizens to report any suspicious online activities or misleading recruitment and procurement advertisements purportedly linked to ECOWAS.
“Cyber fraud not only threatens individual victims but also undermines public confidence in credible institutions and legitimate opportunities across the region”, it emphasised.
