The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued an urgent warning about fraudulent employment letters, some generated using artificial intelligence, that are circulating under its name. The commission confirmed that criminal groups are demanding money from job seekers by falsely promising them positions at the oil industry regulator, and it has reported the matter to law enforcement.
Details of the Scam
NUPRC spokesperson Eniola Akinkuotu disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, saying the commission had received reports of criminal actors exploiting unsuspecting Nigerians searching for work. According to the commission, these individuals approach targets with offers to help them secure jobs at NUPRC, then demand payment in exchange for the supposed assistance. The fraudulent letters, some AI-generated, are used to make the scam appear credible.
The commission was clear: there is no active recruitment exercise at NUPRC at this time. Any future hiring would follow a formal process conducted strictly in line with existing laws and federal government regulations.
Official Statement and Advice
"While the NUPRC has reported the activities of these criminal elements to law enforcement agencies and awaits an outcome of investigation, members of the public are advised to be circumspect so they don't fall victim," the statement read. The commission urged Nigerians to treat any unsolicited job offer or communication claiming to be from NUPRC with suspicion, particularly those that involve any form of payment.
Pattern Across Petroleum Regulators
This is not the first time a Nigerian petroleum regulatory body has raised such an alarm. In February, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) issued a similar warning, clarifying that it was not undertaking any form of employment at any level. The NMDPRA said the fraudulent activity bore the hallmarks of organised fake recruitment syndicates operating specifically to defraud job seekers through such schemes.
The NUPRC incident follows that pattern and points to a broader targeting of Nigeria's petroleum sector regulators by fraud networks looking to exploit the high demand for government and agency employment in the country. The commission awaits the outcome of its report to law enforcement, and job seekers are advised to remain vigilant against any unsolicited offers demanding payment.
