Reporting Fraud, Corruption, and Sexual Misconduct

Services, support, and assistance are always free of charge.  You should never be asked to pay money, provide favors, or offer services in exchange for assistance from UNHCR or its partners, including through social media or third parties.

If you are a victim of fraud, please report it. 

What is fraud, corruption, and misconduct?

Fraud means lying, hiding the truth, or giving false information on purpose to get something for yourself or for someone else. 

Corruption means offering money, gifts, or favors to get something unfair or to influence someone’s decision. 

Misconduct is when a UNHCR staff member or partner organization member fails to follow UNHCR rules and regulations. It can take many forms, including: 

Examples: 

  • Saying offensive things or behaving in a sexually inappropriate way 
  • Harassing, threatening, or intimidating you 
  • Providing false information or making false promises 
  • Treating you unfairly because of your background, gender, or personal 
  • situation 
  • Using official equipment or money for personal use 
  • Breaking local laws 

Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay for the services of UNHCR or its partners. If money or any other form of favors, including of a sexual nature, is requested from you, you should report it to UNHCR and/or the UNHCR Inspector General Office. Please see the section How do I report fraud, corruption and other misconduct? to learn how to report misconduct.

Be aware that any UNHCR services offered to you in exchange for money are fraudulent. For genuine information about UNHCR’s work and services, please consult UNHCR’s Help websites. 

How do I report fraud, corruption and other misconduct?

Report fraudsters that offer you resettlement, financial or other kinds of assistance, fake documents or fake claims in exchange for money or other favours. These offers may be made to you in person or via social media, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram. 

Remember, UNHCR services are always free of charge. 

You can report fraud, corruption, or other misconduct performed by UNHCR or partner organization official directly to UNHCR Inspector General Office: 

Or you can contact Anti-fraud focal point at UNHCR Representation to Central Asia via: 

If you wish to report improper conduct (including corruption, fraud, bribery, exploitation, extortion, etc.) conducted by another stateless person, asylum-seeker, or refugee, contact: 

Important: 

  • Please note that filing a complaint will not in any way impact your case with UNHCR. 
  • Complaints may be anonymous. 
  • In your complaint, please provide all the facts and evidence that are known to you. 
  • Your report and all communication with UNHCR will be kept strictly confidential. 

 

What is sexual exploitation and abuse?

Sexual exploitation happens when a humanitarian worker offers you money, shelter, food, clothing, or any other type of support or service in exchange for sexual favours or exploitative acts. 

Sexual abuse is when a humanitarian worker threatens or forces you to have sex or commit a sexual act against your will. 

In line with the United Nations standards of conduct, the staff members of UNHCR and partner organization members must not: 

  • Have sexual activity with anyone in exchange for money, employment, preferential treatment, goods or services, 
  • Have sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 years old, 
  • Engage in any other form of sexually humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior. 

If you are aware of or have concerns or suspicions about a possible case of sexual exploitation and abuse by a UNHCR or partner organization staff member, you can confidentially report any violation of this to UNHCR.  

Please see the section How do I report sexual exploitation and abuse? to learn how to report misconduct.

How do I report sexual exploitation and abuse?

To report sexual abuse or exploitation you can contact UNHCR Inspector General Office: 

QR Code to UNHCR IGO Online

You can also contact the UNHCR office in your country to report sexual abuse or exploitation: 

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: 

UNHCR Representation to Central Asia (based in Almaty, Kazakhstan) provides support in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. 

Kyrgyz Republic: 

Tajikistan: 

In your report, you should include: 

  • What happened? 
    • Describe in detail what you know about the incident or the incident. 
  • Who committed the alleged wrongdoing? 
    • Do you know if anyone else was involved? Please provide full names, job titles, and organization, if possible. 
  • When and where did the incident occur? 
    • Please include dates and times, if possible. 

 

Your report will be treated with discretion and kept strictly confidential.