NRS disowns fake FIRS vacancy as job seekers face online

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has disowned a fraudulent recruitment notice circulating online in the name of the former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), warning job seekers against surrendering personal documents or money to operators exploiting demand for public-sector employment.

The notice, titled “Federal Inland Revenue Service – FIRS Job Vacancy – Replacement”, has been circulated across social media and other online platforms, inviting members of the public to apply for purported vacancies.

In a public statement issued on Monday, the NRS said the advertisement did not originate from the Service and was not authorised by it. The agency also warned Nigerians against treating recruitment information issued in the name of FIRS as genuine because the Federal Inland Revenue Service has been succeeded by the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The NRS said it had not appointed any individual, consultant, agent or third party to conduct the recruitment exercise referenced in the circulating notice.

The warning highlights a growing risk for job seekers in an economy where public-sector vacancies attract large numbers of applicants. Fraudulent recruitment schemes can expose applicants not only to direct financial losses but also to identity theft when certificates, identification documents, phone numbers and other personal information are submitted to unverified platforms.

The Service urged members of the public not to make payments, disclose financial information or submit certificates and identification documents in response to the fake advertisement.

It also advised applicants to independently verify recruitment announcements before responding to messages, links or emails circulated through social media and other informal channels.

The NRS said genuine recruitment information would be communicated through its official website and authorised communication platforms.

The distinction is particularly important as the Service maintains an official digital recruitment infrastructure through which applicants can verify their records and complete legitimate processes.

The current warning therefore concerns the specific FIRS “replacement” advert and not the existence of all recruitment activity associated with the NRS.

The agency’s clarification also comes as the Federal Government continues to use digital platforms to expand access to public services, making it increasingly important for citizens to distinguish official electronic channels from fraudulent websites, emails and social media accounts.

For job seekers, the financial cost of falling for a fake recruitment exercise can extend beyond any money paid to fraudsters. Personal information obtained through bogus applications can be used for other scams, account takeovers and identity-related fraud.

The NRS urged Nigerians who encounter suspicious recruitment communications to verify them through its official channels and report fraudulent activities to the appropriate authorities.

The latest incident reinforces the need for stronger public awareness around digital recruitment as more government employment processes move online and fraudsters increasingly exploit the credibility of government agencies to target desperate job seekers.