Don’t allow people to scam you in this economy – Gideon Boako

Gideon Boako, the Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has advised the public to be wary of imposters and scammers who impersonate public figures to defraud unsuspecting individuals on social media.

Speaking on the Monday, August 26, 2024, edition of Peace FM’s Kokrokoo, Gideon Boako disclosed that these unscrupulous individuals create fake social media accounts to impersonate key figures and demand huge sums of money, promising to secure jobs for victims in security agencies.

He further added that he keeps receiving calls and messages from individuals who have fallen victim to these scams.

“Some persons have created fake social media accounts in my name to defraud individuals. They chat with you and offer to get you a job in the police, fire service and immigration service if you pay some amount of money. I keep getting messages and calls. Some meet me at funeral grounds and ask me for updates on the supposed job I promised after paying the monies only to realize they have been scammed.

“In this economy, you know you don’t have money so don’t allow for people to scam you to pay 10,000 or 15,000 cedis because you want a job in the police service. Those people are thieves and no key public figure will chat you on social media and demand for money before giving you a job,” he said.

According to him, the matter was reported to the police service, who tracked and blocked the number, but the same fake accounts continue to reappear.

“The first number the person used was tracked and cancelled by the police but the person keeps using a different number each time.

“I am beginning to believe that the person creating these fake accounts using my name is someone who really knows me because strangely the people he targets are those that I personally know. The person is able to mention where you live and all which implies that the suspect is a local person.”

He, therefore, cautioned the public to be vigilant of these schemes to avoid losing money to scammers.

“I will never ask anyone on social media to pay money for a job so if anyone chats you to demand money for jobs, you should know they are thieves,” he appealed.

MAG/AE