Lagos State Government has called on residents of the state to be wary of “unscrupulous persons” who pose as Governor Babatunde Fashola on Facebook to scam unsuspecting people.
The scammers use the photographs of the governor and ascribe fictitious statements to him on the fake Facebook accounts, with the aim of defrauding innocent citizens.
Lagos State Government said it is vital to notify the general public of the fraudulent scheme to save people avoidable dangers of scammers who have been issuing series of Facebook comments and information in the name of the governor.
A statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said the conmen have, through Facebook, been urging citizens to apply for some existing government facilities or utilities meant to benefit the public but to which some agencies of government have been given the responsibility to manage.
The government warned that such information must be emanating from people who are out to defraud members of the public adding that government businesses such as home ownership by mortgage and pilgrimage are purely conducted on government’s authentic websites and other social media outlets managed by agencies of the state government with assigned responsibilities in different areas.
One of such information titled: ‘Disbursement of Subsidy Dividend (SURE-P)’ purported to have been issued by the governor is informing “citizens that subsidy proceed is available for Agro and commercial business,” asking them to “apply for soft loan with no collateral, zero percent interest rate and flexible terms.”
While advising citizens to always clarify with the appropriate agencies of government before embarking on any dealings with people purportedly working for the state government, the government warned “those involved in the nefarious act to desist or be ready to face the wrath of the law when it catches up with them.”
