Reporting fraud and corruption
All services by UNHCR, RRS and other partners are free of charge.
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 favours, including of a sexual nature, is requested from you, in exchange for UNHCR and partner services, please report it to UNHCR, RRS, and/or other partners.
Report fraudsters offering 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, YouTube, and WhatsApp.
People who tell you such lies seek to take advantage of your situation. Avoid them at all costs. They may show you information to persuade you that they are connected to UNHCR. Do not believe them. Remember, UNHCR services are free of charge!
Fraud is any act with the objective of intentionally misleading another in order to obtain a benefit.
All UNHCR and partner services are free of charge.
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 favours, including of a sexual nature, is requested from you, you should report it to UNHCR immediately.
Be aware that any UNHCR services offered to you in exchange for money are fraudulent.
Examples of fraudulent acts include:
- Providing false information about one’s personal circumstances to benefit from assistance or other such services
- Use of fraudulent documentation or genuine documents in a false manner
- Soliciting money for personal gain or paying money to benefit from assistance or service (e.g., registration, resettlement)
- Falsely claiming to represent UNHCR, other entities or partner agencies
Offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting (directly or indirectly) anything of value to influence improperly the actions of another party.
Misconduct is considered any failure by a UNHCR staff member, partner and/or service provider to abide by established staff rules and regulations and the UNHCR Code of Conduct. Examples of possible misconduct include any form of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse.
If you have information about UNHCR staff, or staff of UNHCR partners or contractors, being involved in corruption, exploitation, including sexual exploitation, fraud, or sexual abuse, kindly report it immediately and directly to UNHCR’s Inspector-General’s Office (IGO) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Inspector General’s Office (IGO) provides the High Commissioner with independent assurance and oversight of UNHCR’s activities and operations. The IGO conducts investigations into misconduct.
To report fraud, corruption, sexual abuse or exploitation, or other misconduct, contact UNHCR Inspector General Office by using the online complaint form.
In your report, you should include:
- What happened? Describe in detail what you know about the incident or incidents.
- Who committed the alleged wrongdoing? Do you know if anyone else was involved? Please provide full names, job titles and organisation, if possible.
- When and where did the incident or incidents occur? Please include dates and times, if possible.
Your report will be treated with discretion and kept strictly confidential.
For fraud committed by a refugee, you can report:
- By calling the UNHCR Call Centre +251905012823 (If you are in Addis Ababa)
- Access our online Digital Request and Complaint System, (DRCS) via http://drcs.unhcr-eth.org/
- Using suggestion boxes available at UNHCR or partner offices.
- Going to one of the Protection Desks.
- Going directly to any UNHCR staff.
Attention:
- UNHCR takes all complaints seriously and follows up on each individually
- Filing a complaint will not in any way impact your case with UNHCR
- Complaints may be made anonymously.
- In your complaint, please provide facts and evidence known to you
- All communication with UNHCR is kept confidential.