The management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has raised the alarm over a fake Facebook account impersonating its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Princewill Chike, warning the public against falling victim to a possible fraud scheme.
The university said the operators of the unauthorised account had begun sending messages to unsuspecting members of the public while posing as the institution’s chief executive.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, UNIPORT’s Head of Information, Publications and Public Relations, Dr Sam Kpenu, stressed that the Vice-Chancellor does not operate an active Facebook profile.
Kpenu warned that the account was being used by fraudsters allegedly seeking to swindle innocent people by exploiting the Vice-Chancellor’s identity and position.
Members of the public were advised not to respond to messages from the account, transfer money to its operators, disclose personal or financial information, or engage in any transaction with them.
The university also distanced the Vice-Chancellor and its management from any activities carried out through the fake profile.
It urged Facebook users to report the account to the social media platform and verify official information through the university’s recognised communication channels.
The warning comes amid concerns over online impersonation, in which fraudsters exploit the identities of prominent individuals and institutions to deceive unsuspecting victims.
UNIPORT urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid treating any message from the account as an authentic communication from the Vice-Chancellor.
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