The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has warned members of the public about a Facebook account allegedly impersonating its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I.N.S. Dozie.
The university said the account is fraudulent and has no link to the Vice-Chancellor. It urged anyone who comes across the profile to avoid communicating with the person behind it or providing any money or personal information.
FUTO’s Public Relations Officer, Orakwe Ezugwu, raised the alarm in a statement issued on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State.
According to Ezugwu, Prof. Dozie does not have a personal Facebook account. He therefore advised members of the public to be cautious of anyone using the Vice-Chancellor’s name or photograph to contact them on the platform.
The statement read, “the attention of the Management of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has been drawn to a Facebook account using a name and photograph purporting to represent the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I.N.S. Dozie.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Vice-Chancellor does not operate any personal Facebook account. Consequently, any Facebook account claiming to belong to Prof. I.N.S. Dozie is fake, and has no connection whatsoever with the Vice-Chancellor.
“The public is, accordingly, advised to beware of fraudsters using fake accounts to scam unsuspecting individuals. Please, do not engage with, respond to, or send money, gifts, or personal details to anyone operating such accounts.
“The University Management urges anyone who comes across similar accounts to report to Facebook immediately, and inform the University”, the PRO said.
The warning comes at a time when prospective students are eagerly waiting for FUTO’s admission list as the university’s admission process continues.
The institution has therefore urged admission seekers and other members of the public to be especially careful of fraudsters who may use the ongoing admission process as an opportunity to deceive them.