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The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have issued a strong public warning about an ongoing scam involving an individual impersonating a senior government official to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
According to the official statement, the scammer, operating through the phone number +232 78 173470, has been falsely presenting himself as the Secretary to the President and, at times, claiming to be a minister or other high-ranking government official.
His actions are part of a deliberate scheme to defraud vulnerable members of the public by offering fake job opportunities and other forms of assistance in exchange for money.
“This individual is using such false titles and identities with the intent to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public,” the police statement reads. The SLP emphasized that this is a criminal act of impersonation and fraud, urging the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid any communication or financial transactions with the said number.
According to reports, the impersonator contacts individuals through calls or text messages, claiming to represent the Office of the President or a government ministry. He then requests payments under the pretense of facilitating employment, contracts, or other government-related favors. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears or blocks further communication.
The police have made it clear that no legitimate government official conducts recruitment, job placement, or financial transactions through personal phone numbers.
The public is being reminded that scammers often exploit the names of prominent individuals to gain trust. The SLP has urged citizens to verify all official claims before taking any action and to report suspicious calls or messages immediately to the nearest police station or through official communication channels. “Please be warned do not fall for such fraudulent schemes, as doing so will be at your own risk,” the police cautioned.
