The government of Ghana has cautioned the public to desist from the use of fake social media accounts in duping people.
According to a statement signed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Information, there has been an increase in the use of fake social media accounts to rob people of their money and other valuables.
The statement indicated that these accounts are usually created to mimic that of public institutions and public figures, and offers opportunities ranging from jobs to Senior High school placements.
“These unverified accounts are mostly created in the names of Public Institutions, Ministers, Members of Parliament and other public figures. The accounts are used as platforms to promise jobs, scholarships, contracts and senior high school/ national service placements. In exchange, victims are lured into making advance cash payments to secure the offers.”
“Since August 2019, Ghana’s Security Agencies have recorded a significant upsurge in the use of fake accounts, particularly on Facebook, to swindle unsuspecting citizens to part with various sums of money and other valuable items”.
The statement added that even though efforts are being made to combat the menace, the public must be cautious when dealing with such accounts on social media especially Facebook.
“Though the Security Agencies and Social Media Service Providers are making the necessary efforts to clamp down on these activities, government hereby calls on the general public to heighten its sense of awareness on social media, particularly when dealing with accounts purporting to be those of government officials. The public is advised not to transact any pecuniary business with accounts of government functionaries via social media and encouraged to report such incidents to the Police immediately”.
Below is the full statement
CAUTION AGAINST FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.
The Government of Ghana wishes to caution against the use of fake social media accounts to dupe members of the general public.
These unverified accounts are mostly created in the names of Public Institutions, Ministers, Members of Parliament and other public figures.
The accounts are used as platforms to promise jobs, scholarships, contracts and senior high school/ national service placements. In exchange, victims are lured into making advance cash payments to secure the offers.
Since August 2019, Ghana’s Security Agencies have recorded a significant upsurge in the use of fake accounts, particularly on Facebook, to swindle unsuspecting citizens to part with various sums of money and other valuable items.
Though the Security Agencies and Social Media Service Providers are making the necessary efforts to clamp down on these activities, government hereby calls on the general public to heighten its sense of awareness on social media, particularly when dealing with accounts purporting to be those of government officials.
The public is advised not to transact any pecuniary business with accounts of government functionaries via social media and encouraged to report such incidents to the Police immediately.
Government and all other stakeholders shall continue with collaborations to deepen cyber security.
Signed
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (MP)
Minister
