Reporting Fraud and Other Misconduct

Fraud is any act or omission, with the objective of intentionally misleading another in order to obtain a benefit, for oneself or for someone else. Fraud involves but is not limited to hiding, falsifying, misreporting or omitting facts. Some examples of fraud could include:

• A UNHCR staff member offering to obtain resettlement for a refugee in exchange for money;
• A partner staff member who has asked a refugee for money in exchange for services from their organization;
• A security guard who asks a refugee for money in order to gain access to a facility;
• A refugee who has lied to UNHCR about their personal circumstances, including family composition, in order to obtain additional assistance or resettlement;
• A refugee who creates a fake identity document or uses someone else’s identity document in order to impersonate them for some type of benefit.

Any fraud committed by a UNHCR staff member or a partner staff member will be investigated and considered with the utmost seriousness by the organization. Fraud committed by refugees is also taken seriously and UNHCR also has procedures in place to investigate those fraud allegations. Although UNHCR will always consider the circumstances of these incidents on a case-by-case basis, serious allegations may have consequences. Any fraud, no matter who the perpetrator is, should be reported. If you are not sure whether the complaint is a fraud allegation, you should still report. Remember, all UNHCR, partner and humanitarian services are free of charge.

If you are a victim or witness of fraud, please report it immediately! Your report will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.

Strict confidentiality is applied and information shared will be kept confidential. It should be noted however that anyone may report without sharing their name/contact information but if there is not enough information contained in the complaint then the investigators may not be able to follow up.

All UN staff members as well as staff, contractors and volunteers of UNHCR’s partners are bound to a code of conduct which means they have to behave according to professional standards. Possible misconduct can include:

• Fraud (see above);
• Sexual exploitation and abuse (see here);
• Corruption (e.g. taking money in exchange for services that should be free);
• Theft and embezzlement (e.g. stealing equipment or money);
• Harassment, including sexual harassment;
• Assault, threats or retaliation;
• Non-compliance with local laws.

Remember, all UNHCR, partner and humanitarian services are free of charge. If you are a victim or witness of misconduct committed by UNHCR or humanitarian staff, partners, or volunteers please report it immediately. Your report will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.

You can report incidents of fraud and misconduct through the following channels:

• Call UNHCR Helpline number 16670. Calling is free of charge;
• Report your complaint at any of the information points;
• Email [email protected] to report fraud or misconduct;
• Drop your complaint in a UNHCR complaints box.

Strict confidentiality is applied. If you are not sure if your complaint is considered fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse or misconduct, you should still report it through any of the above channels! In addition, if your complaint is about fraud, sexual exploitation or abuse, or misconduct by someone who works for UNHCR, you can also contact UNHCR’s Inspector General Office (IGO) in UNHCR Headquarters. 

• By using the Online Complaint Form
• Confidential email: [email protected]
• In person or by post: 94 rue de Montbrillant, CP 2500, 1211 Geneva

Mark all mail CONFIDENTIAL