Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has expressed concern about the actions of certain criminal syndicates that he claims have imitated his voice in an effort to defraud prominent people by promising them positions in the federal government.
According to data the office had access to, the scammers mimicked the SGF’s voice and used it to demand payment in exchange for federal positions, Akume stated in a statement issued by his Special Adviser for Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga.
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The SGF distanced himself from the scammers, stating that they have also “cloned the phone numbers of high profile individuals to solicit funds from unsuspecting members of the public”.
While cautioning the public about such schemes, Akume also pointed out that the scammers’ method was to claim that victims had been selected for meetings with the Federal Government and then demand cash to make these fictitious appointments.
“The warning becomes necessary as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has been inundated with enquiries relating to the activities of these fraudulent individuals and groups”, he said.
According to Odunuga, the scammers also invite potential victims to send their curriculum vitae to spoof emails and include bank account information in messages requesting deposits of N5–15 million.
“Senator Akume emphasized that the appointment processes for Nigerians into boards and parastatals are transparent and verifiable, urging individuals not to pay any money in expectation of securing a position.
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“Some of the account details of the scammers made available to the office are domiciled in but not limited to both new generation banks and the popular fintech mobile money operating companies in the country.
“While the relevant security agencies have been briefed on the matter, the Office of the SGF strongly advises Nigerians to report the activities of these fraudulent people to the authorities while taking all precautionary steps necessary to avoid being victims of the scammers”, the statement added
