The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have issued a warning to the general public, both in Sierra Leone and abroad, regarding the creation of fraudulent Facebook profiles impersonating the current Inspector General, Mr. William Fayia Sellu.
According to a press release from the Media and Public Relations Department of the SLP, these fake profiles are being used to scam unsuspecting individuals.
The police confirmed that Mr. William Fayia Sellu does not operate any official or private Facebook accounts.
However, fraudsters have been misusing his image and name, including variations such as “W F Sellu,” to deceive the public. These fake accounts are designed to lure people into providing personal information or financial support under false pretenses.
The SLP is urging the public to be vigilant and avoid engaging with any Facebook accounts claiming to be Inspector General Sellu. Citizens are advised to immediately report any fraudulent activities to the Cyber Unit of the Sierra Leone Police. The statement emphasizes that any Facebook account claiming to represent the Inspector General is fake and should be treated as a scam.
Furthermore, the SLP revealed that similar fraudulent activities have been discovered, where individuals impersonate other prominent figures, including government ministers, to exploit citizens by offering fake jobs and opportunities.
The police are actively working to combat these scams but call on the public to remain alert and exercise caution to avoid falling victim to such deceitful schemes. The SLP emphasized that public awareness and vigilance are critical to effectively curbing these fraudulent activities.
The Sierra Leone Police thank the public for their cooperation and encourage everyone to stay informed and cautious.