The World Bank does not provide loans directly to individuals and does not ask for any personal financial information. We strongly condemn defrauding people using the World Bank name and logo and request individuals to be cautious of such scams.
1. Why is the World Bank’s name misused in fraudulent schemes?
Fraudsters often misuse the names and logos of trusted organizations like the World Bank to deceive people into believing they are dealing with a legitimate source. These schemes—sometimes called Advance Fee Fraud—aim to trick individuals into paying money or sharing personal and financial information.
Examples of misuse include fake or unsolicited loan offers, impersonation of World Bank staff, and fraudulent use of Bank IDs and logos. While thousands of similar schemes occur globally each week, only a small number falsely claim affiliation with the World Bank.
The World Bank Group never solicits payments, personal information, or documents from individuals and does not provide loans directly to individuals or private companies. Its mission is to end poverty and promote shared prosperity on a livable planet by financing development projects and providing technical assistance to member country governments—not individuals.
2. What can these fraudulent schemes look like?
Fraudulent schemes misusing the World Bank’s name can appear both online and offline. They often request personal details, advance fees, or use fake documents to appear legitimate.
Common examples include:
- Requests for personal or bank information: Fraudsters may contact victims by phone, email, text, social media, or in person, making fake and unsolicited loan offers using the World Bank Group’s name or logo. They may ask for signatures, account details, or “processing fees” in exchange for prizes or loans.
- Fake social media posts: AI-generated videos and Facebook page scams advertise personal, micro-credit, or business loans “from the World Bank” and seek processing fees. The only official Facebook page for the World Bank’s Dhaka office is https://www.facebook.com/WorldBankBangladesh.
- Impersonating World Bank Officials: Fraudsters may present fake IDs or documents and introduce themselves as World Bank staff, sometimes visiting individuals at home or work, soliciting fees.
- False job offers: Fake job postings may ask for payments or personal data. The World Bank never charges fees during recruitment. Official emails end with
- Fake letters and IDs: Counterfeit correspondence or IDs may claim to represent the World Bank, demanding payments or announcing fake winnings.
Be alert to these warning signs and remember: the World Bank does not directly lend to individuals or companies, nor does it request processing fees or personal information from them.
3. What should you do if you receive suspicious notifications that reference the Bank or any member of the World Bank Group?
If you feel you have been the victim of such a scam, immediately contact the local law enforcement authorities and to the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) through its official reporting page:
👉 https://www.worldbank.org/integrity. The World Bank does not typically investigate these types of scams.
Please take the following steps:
· Do not respond, send money, or share personal details. The World Bank never asks individuals or companies to pay fees, transfer money, or provide banking information.
· Be cautious of requests for “processing fees” or offers of loans, prizes, or credits. These are common signs of fraudulent schemes.
· Verify the sender’s identity. To confirm whether someone is a World Bank employee, contact the World Bank Human Resources Service Center at hroperations@worldbank.org for official employment verification.
· Report suspected fraud. If you believe you have been targeted or have been the victim of fraud, immediately stop any communication with the scammers and report the incident to your local law enforcement agencies.
4.How can individuals protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes?
To protect yourself:
· Be cautious of requests for “processing fees” or unsolicited offers of loans, prizes, or credits. These are common signs of fraudulent schemes.
· Never share personal, financial, or banking details with unknown people.
· Never follow through an offer if it seems too good to be true.
· Confirm authenticity through official World Bank channels.
· Do not click on links or attachments from suspicious sources.
· Immediately report fraudulent activities to police or local authorities.
