The Federal Ministry of Finance has disowned a fraudulent message directing newly recruited staff to pay a non-refundable administrative fee of N50,000 as a condition for resuming duty. In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry described the message as the handiwork of scammers seeking to exploit unsuspecting applicants through false claims made in the name of the ministry. “The fake message, titled “Administrative Update and Compliance Notice for Newly Recruited Staff,” falsely claims that the Human Resource Management Department directed newly recruited staff to pay an administrative fee before assuming duty,” the statement reads. The ministry stated categorically that no such directive was issued and that the message did not originate from any office or official of the federal Ministry of Finance. According to the statement, recruitment into the Ministry of Finance is conducted strictly in accordance with the established procedures of the federal civil service. “At no stage of the recruitment, documentation or onboarding process are applicants or newly recruited staff required to pay any administrative, processing or resumption fee,” the ministry said. “Accordingly, prospective employees and members of the public are advised to disregard the fraudulent message and refrain from making any payment or disclosing personal or financial information to individuals behind the scam.” The ministry also urged anyone who receives the message or has information that could help identify those responsible to report the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agencies or notify the ministry through its official communication channels. Finance Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness and integrity in its recruitment process, adding that it will continue to work with relevant authorities to protect members of the public from fraudulent activities carried out in its name. The ministry also encouraged Nigerians to verify information relating to employment opportunities with the ministry through official government channels before taking any action.