The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned the public about fraudulent activities involving the hacked social media accounts of its board chairman, Chiedu Ebie.
In a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed that cybercriminals had cloned Ebie’s Facebook account and hacked his Instagram account. These compromised accounts are reportedly being used to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
The statement also revealed that the impostors are misusing the NDDC’s name and logo to circulate fake business proposals, calling these actions criminal attempts to tarnish the commission’s reputation.
Criminal Scheme Under Investigation
“It has come to our notice that some fraudulent individuals have hacked the social media handles of the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Chiedu Ebie,” the statement read.
The NDDC has notified security agencies to investigate and apprehend those behind the fraudulent activities.
Public Advised to Stay Vigilant
The commission urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from engaging with the cloned accounts or any unauthorized online proposals.
“Efforts are being made to recover the compromised accounts. In the meantime, the public is advised not to transact with these faceless and dubious scammers,” the statement warned.
The NDDC emphasized that it would not be liable for losses incurred from interactions with the fraudsters and encouraged individuals to report suspicious activities to the authorities. For legitimate dealings, the commission advised the public to verify information through its official website and verified social media platforms.
The warning underscores the growing threat of online fraud and the need for vigilance to protect personal and organizational reputations from cybercriminals.
