The management of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun in Delta State, has alerted the public of an existing fake social media accounts created by cybercriminals, using the official name and portrait of Samuel Onoji, the principal and chief executive of the institute.
Key Highlights:
- The Petroleum Training Institute warned the public about fake social media accounts impersonating its principal, Samuel Onoji.
- The fake accounts allegedly solicit money for admissions, jobs, and contracts.
- PTI said Onoji does not use personal social media accounts for official business.
- The institute urged the public not to share money or personal banking details with fraudsters.
- PTI advised people to verify information through its official website and verified social media handles
“It has come to our attention that unknown persons have created fake Facebook, Instagram, X formally Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts bearing the name, photographs, and official designation of Samuel Onoji.
“These accounts are being used to defraud unsuspecting members of the public,” the institution said in a statement.
The management said that the criminals used the fake accounts to solicit money, under the guise of processing admissions, job placements, and contracts.
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According to the statement, the fraudsters used the fake accounts to solicit for personal and financial information from staff, students, contractors, and the general public as well as disseminating misleading information purportedly from the office of the principal.
The management averred that Onoji does not operate any personal Facebook account for official PTI business and had not authorized any individual or group to act on his behalf via social media.
It futher said that Onoji does not request money, gifts, or personal details from anyone through social media platforms.
The management disclosed that all official correspondence from the PTI and its principal are channeled through the underlisted verified social media handles:
“Website: www.pti.edu.ng;
Facebook Page: Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun;
X (Twitter) Handle: @PTINigeria and Email: principal_ce@pti.edu.ng / info@pti.edu.ng,” it said.
The management therefore urged the public to disregard any friend’s request, message, or post from accounts claiming to be Onoji.
It advised the public not to fall prey by sending cash or disclosing personal/banking information to anyone claiming to represent the principal or the PTI on social media.
While expressing regrets over what this action may have caused members of the public, the management urged the public to report and block any suspicious account immediately.
It, however, advised the public to verify all PTI-related information through it’s official website or contact the public affairs department of the institute.
