Botswana warns of fake job offers sending citizens to Russia

The government of Botswana has issued a stark warning that its citizens are being lured abroad with fraudulent job offers and then forced to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine. The Ministry of International Relations said in a statement on July 18 that the number of Batswana being deceived into such arrangements is rising at an alarming rate.

Officials said individuals are enticed with promises of civilian employment overseas, only to discover upon arrival that they are being coerced into active military combat. The ministry stated it continues to receive heartbreaking calls from Batswana already on the front line, who describe the perilous conditions they face. The government did not specify how many of its nationals are currently involved but noted its ability to assist victims once they are in Russia is extremely limited.

In its public advisory, the ministry urged citizens to treat foreign job offers with extreme caution, particularly those featuring unusually high salaries, lacking clear contracts, or encouraging travel without proper documentation. The government emphasized the importance of verifying any overseas employment opportunity before accepting it.