By Adetutu Sobowale
Claim
A broadcast message, which contains a link to a website, has been circulating on social media platforms with a claim that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched its recruitment portal and is calling on suitably qualified candidates to apply for the 2022 recruitment exercise.
Verdict
The website claiming that INEC has launched its recruitment portal and is calling on suitably qualified candidates to apply for the 2022 recruitment exercise is FAKE.
Although INEC is recruiting, but, the website in circulation is a phishing website.
Full Text
A broadcast message with a website link has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that INEC has launched its recruitment portal and is calling on suitably qualified candidates to apply for the 2022 recruitment exercise.
The post reads, “Independent National Electoral Commission Recruitment 2022.
“The INEC has opened its recruitment portal and is calling on suitably qualified candidates to apply for the 2022 recruitment exercise.
“How to apply for INEC recruitment: Interested and eligible Nigerians who are willing to apply for the recruitment are advised to visit the portal: https://inecnigeria.govservice.site/?m=1#1664981207352
“Requirements: Applicants must be Nigerian by birth; validatory ID card; Applicant must possess at least SSCE certificate.
“Note only visit the original portal for information”
Verification
To verify the information attached to the link, we opened the link. The home page looks like this:
Clicking on the NEXT button without inserting any of the required information, a congratulatory message popped up. Instruction would be given to fill in more personal details.
On the homepage, is the screenshot of Facebook comments of individuals who claimed to have successfully applied.
FactCheckElections run a check on the Facebook accounts attached to the claim but there were no matching pictures with the ones seen below. Hence, the screenshot of this comment section has been manipulated.
Verification Tool Shows Site Have Dubious Reputation
For further investigations, FactCheckElections used Whois to get information about the domain. It was seen that the site was just registered on the 8th of April, 2022. Also, the registrant hid some of the identities.
Likewise, a search on the Sucuri website revealed that the site has been blacklisted and some identities are also hidden.
The INEC has also debunked and described the broadcast message as fake in a statement issued on its official website.
INEC noted that the fake website is a means of defrauding unsuspecting citizens.
INEC added that the link is a means to defraud well meaning citizens.
The Commission, however, urged Nigerians to beware of swindlers, saying no payment is required for the application process.
“We implore Nigerians to disregard the fake link and avoid falling victims of swindlers.
“The INEC Adhoc Recruitment Exercise is absolutely free of charge. No payment of any kind is required throughout the application process.
Conclusion
FactCheckElections can conclude that the website in circulation claiming that INEC has launched its recruitment portal and is calling on suitably qualified candidates to apply for the 2022 recruitment exercise is FALSE.