2014-12-18Staff Report 2 By Alvine Kapitako WINDHOEK - The Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) says several Namibians desperate for work have fallen victim to an email generated by scammers promising them work overseas. The scammers who claim to be the American Red Cross are “recruiting” volunteers to serve in the United States of America or the Philippines. The email claims the American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to work on the rehabilitation of infrastructure after the devastation caused by a typhoon in November last year. The NRCS National Manager for Humanitarian Diplomacy, Rosemary Nalisa, told New Era yesterday that on a daily basis the NRCS receives about two calls from people enquiring about the circulating email, its authenticity or how they could join, not knowing it is a scam. A part of the circulating email reads, “on February 10th 2015 (starting date) you are to report at 09h00 am to the Human Resources Department, where we provide you a packet containing information on the ARC benefits”. Further it read, “Monthly starting net salary of $8,400 US$.” Correspondence seen by New Era between the scammers and some Namibians who have fallen prey to the scams indicate the Namibian victims deposited US$280 (about N$2 800) into the scammers’ accounts apparently “to process” their visas for the overseas job. “Some people are only coming back to us after they have given the money and they don’t get a favourable response. When you look at the amounts (the scammers) are promising you can see it’s just people trying to make a quick buck,” explained Nalisa. “The Namibia Red Cross Society would like to warn the Namibian nation to be on alert for an email being circulated by scammers claiming that the American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to serve in the United States or the Philippines,” warned Nalisa. The email also promises potential job seekers lucrative allowances to be paid in US dollars. Nalisa said the email started circulating last year and the NRCS confirmed it with the actual American Red Cross that has distanced itself and dismissed it as a scam. Nalisa added the origin of the email is not known even by the American Red Cross. “Namibians should always be alert and not to fall victim to scammers who have become very active in recent years,” stressed Nalisa. 2014-12-18Staff Report 2
