By FORTUNE ABANG

Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on Thursday warned against online offers and demands for payment linked to her name or empowerment schemes.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu issued the advisory in a statement, urging the public to ignore any such offers or payment requests falsely associated with her.

The statement was signed by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

She advised Nigerians to disregard any messages soliciting payments on her behalf, warning that they were fraudulent.

According to her, the notice became necessary after discovering that some individuals had launched fake schemes using her name and created fraudulent bank accounts.

The former ambassador to Spain said: ?Alarm! Ignore any online offers and demands for payment linked to my name, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.?

She revealed that scammers had created fake social media accounts impersonating her, promoting fraudulent empowerment schemes with enticing promises.

?These schemes range from trade exhibitions and agricultural grants to Nollywood events, all designed to defraud unsuspecting individuals,? she said.

She stated that her attention was drawn to the scam after many Nigerians had lost their life savings, adding that she had no involvement in such platforms.

?Anyone dealing with them does so at their own risk. My verified social media accounts are Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Facebook) and biancaodumegwuojukwu (Instagram),? she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that these accounts had long histories of activity, unlike the fraudulent ones recently created to deceive the public.

?Many people have contacted me about their unfortunate experiences with these scammers on Facebook Messenger, including Nigerians in the diaspora,? she noted.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that several Nigerians in the United States had also fallen victim to these fraudsters.

?I repeat, this is a scam. Please ignore their messages promoting fraudulent schemes to avoid being deceived,? she warned.

She explained that the fraudsters falsely claimed affiliation with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture or the World Bank, promising grants between N1 million and N50 million.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated that official government business is never conducted via social media, unlike the fraudulent messages circulating online.

?These scammers will ask you to contact a certain Dr Michael Gogo on 08133565420 and pay money into an account to access supposed funds,? she said.

For clarification regarding any social media communication allegedly from her office, the public should contact Magnus Eze via WhatsApp on 08033223554 or email majeze1969@gmail.com. (NAN)

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