EU ambassador to Bolivia warns of fake job adverts in Russia linked to recruitment for war in Ukraine
Quick Look
- The European Union ambassador to Bolivia, Jaume Segura, warned Bolivian citizens, especially young people, against job offers in Russia spread on social media promising high salaries, as behind some proposals there could be the recruitment of foreign fighters to be sent to the war against Ukraine.
- He spoke in Santa Cruz de la Sierra during an academic activity at Utepsa, in the context of fighting transnational crime.
- The Bolivian Chancellery has received 34 requests for consular assistance for citizens involved in the conflict, five of whom have already been repatriated, while the Prosecutor's Office has opened four investigations into alleged human trafficking for the purpose of recruitment for armed conflicts.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The European Union ambassador to Bolivia has warned against fake job advertisements in Russia promising high salaries, as recruitment of foreign fighters for the war in Ukraine may be behind some proposals. He spoke in Santa Cruz de la Sierra during an academic activity at Utepsa, in the framework of the fight against transnational crime. The Bolivian Chancellery has received 34 requests for consular assistance for citizens involved in the conflict, five of whom have already been repatriated, while the Prosecutor's Office has opened four investigations into alleged human trafficking for the purpose of recruitment for armed conflicts.
The European Union ambassador to Bolivia, Jaume Segura, called on Bolivian citizens, especially young people, to be wary of job offers in Russia spread on social media and accompanied by promises of high salaries. According to the diplomat, El Deber reports, behind some proposals there could be the recruitment of foreign fighters to be sent to the war against Ukraine.
Segura made these statements in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, during his participation in an academic activity at the Universidad Tecnológica Privada de Santa Cruz (Utepsa).
The diplomat addressed the issue in the broader framework of the fight against transnational crime, reiterating the European Union's commitment to continue to cooperate with the Bolivian government to strengthen security, border management and the fight against human trafficking.
The Bolivian Chancellery has so far received 34 requests for consular assistance relating to citizens involved in the conflict and five have already been repatriated. The Prosecutor's Office also opened four investigations into alleged human trafficking for the purpose of recruitment for armed conflicts.
The offers included jobs in construction, security or painting, with salaries between 2,500 and 2,700 dollars a month and starting bonuses of up to 16 thousand dollars. According to the testimonies collected, some citizens, once they arrived in Russia, signed military contracts and received training before being transferred to the front. Moscow denies any official involvement in the recruitment.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Bolivian Prosecutor's Office will increase the number of investigations into human trafficking related to recruitment for armed conflicts in the coming months.
Likely · Within months
The number of requests for consular assistance from Bolivian citizens involved in the conflict in Ukraine will continue to grow if more effective prevention measures are not adopted.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the exact size of the recruiting network operating via social media?
- Which Russian authorities were involved, if any, in the alleged recruitment?
- How many Bolivian citizens are currently in Russia as a result of these offers?
- What concrete measures is the European Union taking in addition to public warnings?
