By Ragan M. Conteh

419s and Scammers have directed their unscrupulous activities to higher authorities and reputable people in Sierra Leone society.

The latest episode from scammers is to target the higher authority especially the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, using his name in the intent to extort monies from reputable people.

According to a public notice issued by the office of Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, fraudsters have directed their criminal cartel to defraud members of the general public using his name.

The notice read thus:

It has been brought to the attention of the Deputy Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh that some fraudsters and scammers have used his good name to set up a fake WhatsApp Group with the number: +23274645800 to defraud and extort monies from innocent and unsuspecting members of the public.

The notice further warned members of the public to desist forthwith from doing business or adhere to the dictates of such unscrupulous persons who are using his good name to defraud individuals of their hard earned resources, with fake numbers or calls.

The notice reiterated further that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh is no such a person who is involved in soliciting monies or favours using such dubious means to extort monies from people.

The registered numbers of the Deputy Speaker are: +23276714347/+23299619478 and any other number or numbers other than his registered numbers are deemed criminally fraudulent and should therefore be ignored and if caught, such fraudsters or impostors should be prosecuted.

Hope this public notice will thwart their fraudulent activities as fraudsters and impostors have developed the habit of using the good name of the leadership of Parliament to extort monies from innocent and unsuspecting members of the general public.