Imagine the elation of receiving a job offer from a prestigious organisation like the United Nations. For many job seekers, this is the ultimate career breakthrough. But what if that dream offer – complete with an official-looking letter and the requirement to even complete a real UN training course – turned out to be a meticulously crafted illusion, designed to drain your finances and crush your hopes?
This is exactly what happened to LinkedIn user Monica Agbane, whose story underscores how convincingly these scams are executed. Lured in by the promise of an administrative assistant role at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, and the legitimacy of a UN career profile connection, she diligently completed the free BSAFE training. She trusted the process and even borrowed money to pay the requested $99 for a “Better Tolerance” certification, believing it was the final step towards her dream. But then came the horrifying discovery: countless others online had received the same word-for-word offer. Monica’s story is not an isolated incident — it reflects a broader, more sophisticated wave of job scams that prey on trust and ambition.
SOURCE: Hansel Praise
A Twitter post by Hansel Praise further highlighted a similar scam involving a fake job offer from the same organisation. The comments on Monica’s and Hansel’s posts reveal a disturbing pattern: some narrowly escaped the trap, others fell for it, and many more know people who did.
These scammers employ different deceptive tactics, including creating fake job postings that closely mimic those of legitimate organisations, sending official-looking offer letters, and even requiring victims to complete seemingly legitimate training courses on real websites. This multi-layered approach makes it difficult for even savvy job seekers to distinguish between a genuine opportunity and a fraudulent scheme.
In March 2025, the FAO issued a public warning about fraudulent job offers circulating online, particularly in Nigeria. Their statement was clear:
The FAO does not request any payments or sensitive personal information during recruitment. You must verify all FAO job opportunities through our official portal.’’
This warning, coupled with the fact that UN jobs are only processed through its official platforms and that the scam email lacked a proper country code in its contact details (a common sign of fraud), further highlights the deceptive nature of these schemes.
Spotting the Red Flags: A Checklist for Job Seekers
Job scams are often persuasive and well-designed. But there are telltale signs that should raise immediate concern:
- Requests for money: Legitimate organisations — especially international bodies like the UN or FAO — will never ask you to pay for:
- “Job applications”
- “Training courses”
- “Equipment or onboarding fees”
If they do, it’s 100% a scam.
- Typos and Poor Formatting: While scammers are becoming more sophisticated, many overlook details. Spelling errors, formatting inconsistencies, and awkward grammar in what should be official communication are major red flags.
- Offers That Sound Too Good to Be True: Beware of high salaries, rapid promotions, or dream roles with minimal qualifications. Real UN job listings are highly competitive and transparent, with clear qualification requirements and standard pay scales.
- Urgency and Pressure: Scammers often create false urgency, claiming the offer will expire quickly. This is meant to rush you into making decisions without verifying the details.
Maryam Rabiu: UN Insider’s Advice
Maryam Rabiu, Hausa Language Information Assistant at the United Nations in Nigeria, provided key insight into how applicants can protect themselves from falling victim. Her guidance is simple but powerful:
“The UN has its official job portal — it’s called inspira.un.org. Anyone interested in working with the UN should go there directly. If you see a vacancy elsewhere, don’t just apply. Go to Inspira and check if that job is listed. If it’s not there, then it’s fake.”
She also warned about email red flags:
“Every UN agency uses official email addresses. You’ll see ‘@un.org’, ‘@fao.org’, ‘@unicef.org‘, ‘@unesco.org’, etc. They never ask you to send CVs to Gmail, Yahoo, or any other email. If you’re told to send your documents to someone’s address, that’s an immediate sign of fraud.”
Maryam noted that so far, the primary way UN agencies are combating these scams is through public disclaimers:
Agencies post warnings on their websites and social media. That’s the only measure in place right now. You’ll often see alerts about fake vacancies if you’re actively following their channels.”
Her final piece of advice:
“Always verify and confirm. Don’t rush. Call someone. Ask questions. You might catch a scam just by talking it through.”
How to protect yourself
- Verify Before You Trust: Always visit the official careers section of the organisation’s website. Do not rely on links from unsolicited emails or DMs. Type the URL manually or search directly via Google.
- Cross-Check Job Offers: Search for the job title or offer letter language online. If others report the exact wording, it’s likely part of a scam campaign.
- Reporting suspicious activity: If you encounter a suspicious job offer, report it to the relevant authorities, such as un.org, [email protected] or your local equivalent. You can also report it to the platform where you saw the job posting, such as LinkedIn or Indeed.
- Stay Email-Savvy: In this era of increasing digital communication, maintaining a state of heightened cyber vigilance is not just advisable but essential. Watch out for phishing attempts. Legitimate UN emails come from @un.org or @fao.org, not free domains like Gmail or Yahoo. Check the sender’s address closely and never click on suspicious links.
Final Thought: Pause Before You Proceed
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a dream job offer, but a moment of pause can save you from emotional and financial devastation. Always ask yourself:
“Did I even apply for this job?”
If the answer is no, proceed with extreme caution. Scammers count on your excitement to override your instincts. By staying vigilant, informed, and sceptical of anything that feels “too perfect,” you can outsmart even the most convincing con.
By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can protect yourself from these sophisticated job offer scams and ensure your job search remains focused on legitimate opportunities.
