RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has warned against dealing with websites or emails using the ministry’s name and logo to advertise “fake” job opportunities.

The ministry denied any connection to these fraudulent advertisements, and added that its official website and social media platforms are the only authorized means of advertising available job opportunities.

In its statement, it said that several fake websites claiming to offer job opportunities in the tourism sector had been detected.

The websites exploited the ministry’s name and logo to obtain personal and banking data through messages claiming to collect financial fees for medical examinations, the ministry said.

It noted that dealing with the ministry’s official websites and platforms ensures that applicants receive accurate and reliable information about the advertised jobs, in addition to protecting the confidentiality of the provided personal information.

The ministry called for immediate reporting of any suspicious website that claims to represent it or publishes unreliable job opportunities, by contacting the concerned authorities or connecting with the ministry through official media platforms.

The ministry stresses the importance of everyone protecting themselves from all types and methods of fraud, and ensuring the security of their banking and personal information.

This can be achieved by not responding to messages received from parties using the ministry’s name, and by verifying the source of random messages received before clicking on the links, to protect personal data and not fall victim to fraud crimes.