Fraudsters have taken over the Liberian presidency using it as soft spot to facilitate various scams including deceiving victims as the President of the country to make fortune.
Given the scale of the practice, the Executive Mansion has alerted the public announcing measures to dismantle the frau network.
In recent public statement, the presidency reported surge in scams involving individuals falsely claiming to represent the Office of the President, saying the impersonators are targeting the Liberian presidency as a means to rake in money and other favors.
Presidential Press Secretary Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana, said the Executive Mansion has “observed with serious concern” a growing number of reports in which purported officials contact members of the public, make false promises of employment or appointments, and solicit money, gifts or other gratuities in return.
“No official of the Office of the President, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, or any member of the President’s team will ever call, text, or approach anyone to solicit money, gifts, or gratuities in exchange for employment or favors,” the statement said. It added that all employment and appointments are processed through official government channels and are never based on personal payments or private arrangements.
The Executive Mansion further warned that anyone found impersonating its officials or engaging in related fraudulent acts will be prosecuted. Members of the public who suspect they have been targeted are encouraged to report incidents to the Liberian National Police (LNP) or the Executive Protection Service (EPS).
The warning comes amid reports that fraudsters have been exploiting the prestige of the presidency to give their solicitations a veneer of legitimacy and thereby increase their chances of extracting money from victims.
Authorities did not provide details of specific cases in the announcement but emphasized vigilance and caution when approached with unsolicited offers or requests tied to the Executive Mansion.
“The Executive Mansion is committed to protecting the integrity of the Office of the President and safeguarding the public from fraud,” Kula said, urging citizens to verify any job offers or official communications through established government channels before responding or transferring funds.
