Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny Warns Against Impostor Demanding Money

The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, Rivers State has issued an urgent public warning about an impostor posing as a finance officer and soliciting money from people using fraudulent phone numbers and social media accounts.

The Fraud Alert

According to Anthony Ogbe, the institution's Public Relations Officer, scammers are using fake identities to contact individuals, claiming to represent the polytechnic and requesting payments.

The management's official statement reads: "Please disregard anybody calling on behalf of the Polytechnic requesting for money. The Polytechnic is a professional institution with organized system and a Standard Operating Procedure that does not require any one requesting for money of any kind."

How the Scam Works

The fraudsters are employing several tactics:

• Using fake phone numbers to call prospective students or their families
• Creating fraudulent social media pages that mimic official polytechnic accounts
• Falsely claiming to be finance officers or admission officers
• Requesting payments for admission slots, registration, or other services

Official Polytechnic Position

The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, has clarified that:

• The institution NEVER requests money through phone calls or social media
• All official payments are made through recognized banking channels
• The polytechnic operates with standard procedures that don't involve soliciting funds
• Any financial transactions must be conducted directly at the institution or through verified official portals

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify Before Paying: Never send money based on phone calls or social media messages claiming to be from the polytechnic

2. Use Official Channels Only: All legitimate payments should go through the polytechnic's official payment portal or designated banks

3. Contact the Institution Directly: If you receive suspicious requests, call the polytechnic's official phone lines to verify

4. Check Social Media Accounts: Only trust verified social media accounts with official verification badges

5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter these scammers, report them to the polytechnic and to relevant authorities

Red Flags to Watch For

Be suspicious if someone:

• Calls you unexpectedly claiming to be from the polytechnic and requests money
• Promises guaranteed admission in exchange for payment
• Asks you to send money urgently before a "slot closes"
• Requests payment to personal accounts rather than official institutional accounts
• Cannot provide official employee ID or reference numbers when asked

General Advice for All Prospective Students

This type of fraud is not limited to one institution. Across Nigeria, scammers target prospective students during admission seasons. Always:

• Deal directly with institutions through their official channels
• Never pay "agents" or "contacts" who promise admission
• Save official institutional contacts and verify information directly
• Be cautious of unsolicited calls requesting payments