Beware of social media scammers - Foreign Affairs Minister warns Ghanaians

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway has warned the general public about some fraudulent activities on Facebook being perpetuated in her name.

She says, Ghanaians should be cautious about who they deal with on Facebook or social media.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Ebia' programme, the Sowutuom Legislator explained that, it has come to her notice that some persons on social media are defrauding unsuspecting Ghanaians in her name.

Though she has reported the matter to the police and other security agencies about the nefarious activities of these persons, she is asking Ghanaians to be cautious about who they deal with on social media.

She reiterated that she is not involved on social media whether official or unofficial, adding that Ghanaians should be cautious.

“It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration that certain unscrupulous persons have cloned Facebook pages purporting to be the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The statement described the act as “disingenuous attempts to unscrupulously benefit from services offered by the Ministry in fulfillment of its constitutional mandate.”

The Ministry stressed that it does not facilitate issuing of visas or transact any business via social media.

“The Ministry, therefore urges the general public to direct all requests for official documents and for recruitment of personnel through approved channels, and desist from transacting any unofficial business with such people on social media in their own interest,” the statement concluded.

Read below the full statement:

It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration that certain unscrupulous persons have cloned Facebook pages purporting to be the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

These people have used the social media platform to extort monies from unsuspecting Ghanaians seeking the assistance of the Foreign Minister and or the Foreign Ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to put the general public on guard against such disingenuous attempts to unscrupulously benefit from services offered by the Ministry in fulfilment of its constitutional mandate.

The Ministry wishes to further advise that the Honourable Minister and her Deputies do not facilitate issuing of visas, transact any business via social media, nor will they in any way circumvent laid down procedures for doing so.

The Ministry, therefore, urges the general public to direct all requests for official documents and for recruitment of personnel through approved channels and desist from transacting any unofficial business with such people on social media in their own interest.