Beware of fake social media accounts of government officials, public institutions – Police cautions public

Beware of fake social media accounts of government officials, public institutions – Police cautions public

The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the general public to be on the lookout for fake social media accounts created to perpetuate fraudulent activities on unsuspecting people, ABC News can report.

The Police says investigations carried out by its intelligence unit indicate that criminals have taken to social media to create accounts using the names of public figures and institutions with the aim of duping people.

According to the Police, most of these acts are committed on Facebook and WhatsApp.

A statement signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu, sighted by ABC News said, ”The Police is once again alerting the general public of some criminal activities being committed by faceless people through social media.

“Investigations and monitoring on social media, revealed a significant upsurge of fake social media accounts being created particularly through Facebook messages, WhatsApp etc. to swindle unsuspecting members of the public to part with huge sums of money and other valuables.’

It adds that ”These scammers often operate through social media handles, text messages or call their victims on phone and dupe them of significant amount ranging between Five Hundred Ghana cedis to Five Thousand Ghana cedis for supposed services to be rendered.

“The fake accounts are mostly created in the names of public institutions, ministers and senior public servants and other prominent personalities in society, by promising their victims juicy employment opportunities, scholarships, contracts, senior High School placements, prospective national service, recruitment into the security services among others” the statement noted.

Read the full statement below

Source: abcnewsgh.com