The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has warned of a rise in recruitment scams targeting jobseekers through unsolicited messages on social media and other online platforms.
The Authority said fraudsters are increasingly using SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram to circulate fake employment opportunities, with some schemes designed to obtain personal information, identification documents and financial details from unsuspecting victims.
The CSA said the scams have become more sophisticated, with perpetrators cloning the websites of legitimate government agencies and other institutions to make fraudulent recruitment offers appear credible.
“These cloned websites may also be used to conduct phishing attacks or harvest personal and sensitive information from unsuspecting victims,” the Authority said in a public alert.
The CSA also identified cases in which fraudsters impersonated recruiters, senior officials and representatives of reputable institutions while advertising high-paying positions, particularly in the security sector.
One circulating post, the Authority noted, falsely claimed to offer recruitment for a foreign security and drone operation allegedly linked to the Ghana-Burkina Faso border area.
The CSA also cited recent fraudulent messages claiming that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was charging members of the public fees to secure employment.
The Authority urged jobseekers to exercise caution when responding to unsolicited recruitment offers, particularly those promising high-paying positions in security, military or specialised technical fields.
It advised members of the public to verify the source and authenticity of job advertisements before sharing information or engaging with recruiters.
The CSA further cautioned against providing personal information, identification documents or financial details to unverified recruiters, while urging the public to be alert to poor grammar, spelling mistakes and unprofessional communication in job advertisements.
The Authority also advised the public against amplifying unverified security-related claims that could create unnecessary fear or confusion.
Members of the public who encounter suspicious online activity or suspected cyber incidents can report them to the CSA or the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.
The CSA operates a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact through 292 for calls or text messages, 0501603111 on WhatsApp, and [email protected] by email.
