By Seyi Babalola
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has raised the alarm over his image being used by a scammer on social to defraud members of the public.
The minister has therefore warned Nigerians to be at alert and not fall into the trap of a any scammer that could call with a phone that carries his photograph.
He also disowned the phone number being used by the scammer, purporting to be the minister on the popular social media platform, WhatsApp.
Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, made this known on Wednesday.
Segun said that the fraudster operating with the contact number +234 707 743 7582, bearing the image of Dr. Alake, is not associated with the minister, his aides, or anyone in the minister’s office.
He said: “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has been drawn to a phone number being used by a scammer, purporting to be the minister on the popular social media platform, WhatsApp.
“The fraudster operating with the contact number +234 707 743 7582, bearing the image of Dr. Alake, is not associated with the minister, his aides, or anyone in the minister’s office.
“This is the handiwork of an impostor. The Minister urges the public to disregard any correspondence or communication supposedly from him through the said contact number.
“This serves as a disclaimer while we work with the security agencies to identify the culprit and bring upon him the full weight of the law.”
