The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has raised concerns over criminal syndicates who have cloned his voice in a bid to defraud prominent individuals by promising fake federal government appointments.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume revealed that the fraudsters are impersonating him and soliciting money from unsuspecting targets in exchange for fabricated political appointments.
According to the statement, the scammers have also cloned the phone numbers of other high-profile individuals to make their schemes appear credible. Victims are told they have been shortlisted for appointments and are then asked to pay between ₦5 million and ₦15 million to process their nomination.
Odunuga noted that some of the fraudulent messages even include fake email addresses and bank account numbers often tied to both traditional banks and fintech platforms,where victims are told to deposit funds and submit their CVs.
Akume distanced himself from the scheme, warning the public to be cautious and not to fall for such tactics. He emphasized that all federal appointment processes are transparent and verifiable, and no one should pay money in the hope of securing a position.
He added that the SGF office has received multiple reports and inquiries regarding these fraudulent activities, and security agencies have been notified. Nigerians are urged to report any suspicious activity and take precautions to avoid falling victim.