FUTO RAISES ALARM OVER FACEBOOK IMPOSTOR USING VICE-CHANCELLOR’S IDENTITY

The management of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has warned members of the public about a fraudulent Facebook account allegedly created to impersonate the university’s Vice-Chancellor and deceive unsuspecting individuals.

The university said the account was being operated by individuals attempting to exploit the name and identity of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna N. Oti, for fraudulent purposes. FUTO management urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid communicating with anyone using the fake account or acting as though they were representing the Vice-Chancellor.

According to the university, the impersonators have gone beyond simply using the Vice-Chancellor’s name and photographs. The fraudulent Facebook page reportedly provides a WhatsApp contact through which members of the public are encouraged to communicate with people posing as Prof. Oti.

FUTO said the individuals behind the account have been making different promises to unsuspecting people, including offers of admission and employment. They have also allegedly claimed to be able to facilitate appointments or connections in Abuja, creating the impression that they have access to influential government officials and decision-makers.

The university warned that such claims are completely unrelated to the activities of its management or the Vice-Chancellor. It said the individuals operating the account may attempt to persuade victims to provide money or personal information after making such offers.

FUTO management therefore advised members of the public not to respond to requests from the fraudulent account, particularly where such communication involves payments, promises of university admission, employment opportunities or invitations to meet the purported Vice-Chancellor at locations outside official university channels.

The university emphasised that its admission and employment processes are conducted through established procedures and that neither process is handled through unofficial social media accounts. It also stated that the Vice-Chancellor does not invite members of the public to private meetings at unspecified venues through social media platforms.

FUTO further clarified that Prof. Oti does not operate multiple Facebook accounts or pages for official communication. The university advised anyone seeking authentic information from the Vice-Chancellor or the institution to rely on the university’s official communication channels rather than unverified social media accounts.

The warning is part of a broader concern over the growing use of social media impersonation to defraud members of the public. Fraudsters often exploit the names and reputations of prominent university officials to make fake offers appear legitimate, particularly to students, job seekers and individuals seeking access to influential personalities.

FUTO consequently urged anyone who encounters the fraudulent account or receives suspicious messages from individuals claiming to represent the Vice-Chancellor to disregard the communication and avoid sending money or sensitive personal details.

The university also made it clear that anyone who chooses to engage with the impersonators or transact with them does so at their own risk. Members of the public were encouraged to verify any purported communication involving the Vice-Chancellor or FUTO through the institution's recognised channels before taking action.