The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a strong warning to the public regarding the activities of fraudsters misusing its name to disseminate fake recruitment advertisements and tender invitations through counterfeit websites.
In a statement released on Thursday, the regional body denounced these deceptive announcements, attributing them to individuals intent on defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.
ECOWAS clarified that these fraudulent communications often mimic its official messaging, aiming to extort money or gather personal information from victims. The organization emphasized that it does not charge any fees for the recruitment of staff or consultants, nor does it ask for payments to partake in tenders or public procurement processes.
The Commission firmly stated that it never requests bank account details, financial information, or any monetary contributions from applicants, contractors, or partners.
To combat these scams, ECOWAS urged the public to rely solely on its verified communication channels for accurate information. The official platforms include the ECOWAS website and authenticated social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
In its statement, ECOWAS called for heightened vigilance against false information and online scams, identifying these activities as acts of cybercrime that are punishable by law. The organization reiterated its right to pursue legal action against anyone found guilty of impersonating ECOWAS or attempting to defraud the public in its name.
Additionally, ECOWAS encouraged citizens to report any suspicious online activities or misleading recruitment and procurement advertisements falsely linked to the organization.
“Cyber fraud not only threatens individual victims but also undermines public confidence in credible institutions and legitimate opportunities across the region,” the statement concluded, underscoring the need for awareness and caution among the public.
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