Scammers pose as government recruiters to extort money from candidates

Michel Ange Angouing, Cameroonian Minister of public works and administrative reform (Minfopra), has announced 19 sectors for direct recruitment and training of 1,500 youth, in the Cameroonian public service this year.

The recruitment concerns the health, youth, sport, mines, architecture, agriculture, animal industries, documentation and Social Affairs sectors.

After the announcement of this recruitment, scammers posing as recruiters stormed the Minfopra esplanade and were demanding large sums from candidates while offering to play the intermediaries to facilitate their access to the public services.

Several duped candidates filed complaints of 'scam’ at the commissariat central in Yaoundé in three days. According to a police source, the sum they demanded ranges from 200 to 500 000 Fcfa. “The only problem is that, candidates complain without providing evidence. They give money without getting receipts", added the source.

Meanwhile Minfopra workers have been accused of being part of the scam networks. Yet, the government has asked candidates of each candidate to remain vigilant and careful of all offers.

The ‘smart’ scammers created recruitment portals on the internet, which is more difficult to regulate, similar to the one launched by the government.

Other questions remain unanswered about these recruitments which have increased lately. Some believe that they want to use the funds generated to replenish state coffers through the many documents which the candidates will have to certify.