The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has advised Nigerians not to respond to requests for money from individuals fraudulently posing as its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke.
According to Cables, the agency stated on Saturday that scammers have been using fake phone numbers and bank accounts to mislead unsuspecting members of the public while falsely claiming to represent the SON chief executive.
SON revealed that in one incident, the fraudsters demanded N8.5 million to be paid into a bank account they provided, claiming it was necessary to facilitate a contract.
“The public is hereby informed that the Director General/Chief Executive, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, does not solicit funds, request monetary transfers, award contracts, offer employment opportunities, or conduct auctions or official business through social media accounts,” the statement said.
The agency said the fraudulent scheme was linked to a WhatsApp number, 07046427254, and an Access Bank account belonging to Musa Abubakar with account number 1955996824.
“The public is strongly advised not to engage with the holder of the above telephone number or make any payment into the stated account,” SON warned.
The organisation emphasized that all recruitment processes, procurement activities, auctions, and contract awards are carried out strictly in line with federal government regulations and established due process procedures.
It further noted that steps have already been taken to tackle the issue and safeguard stakeholders from becoming victims of the scam.
“Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to communicate with SON only through approved and official channels, including authorized social media platforms, official email addresses, customer service channels, toll-free lines, and SON offices nationwide,” the statement added.
SON also called on Nigerians to stay alert and report any suspicious messages or fraudulent activities to the appropriate security agencies without delay.