A former Director General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah, has narrated how a fraudster pretending to be the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, attempted to swindle him with a fake appointment offer.
He revealed his encounter with the fraudster in a series of tweets on Thursday.
Abah wrote, “So, this afternoon at 4:17pm, a certain Barrister Larry Okorocha called me from and said that the SGF BossMustapha wanted me to call him urgently before he enters his next meeting. I said Ok. He gave me the number to call as 08020581509. Here’s what happened next.
“I asked him whether Boss Mustapha had changed his number because the number he gave me was not the number I have for him. Barrister Okorocha said he didn’t know but that that was the special number he gave him to give me to call him on. I said ok.
“I then asked him what part of the SGF’s office he works in. He said he just works in the Office of the SGF. I asked him which office exactly. He said he is the PA to the SGF. I said his name not the name of the SGF’s PA that I know. He said he is new there. I said ok.
“To humour them, I then called the number. A guy picked it up and said he’s the SGF and they’ve been trying to reach me and that’s why he asked the Barrister to keep trying. I asked him what’s up. He said I am being considered for an appointment. I asked which appointment?
“He said he was not at liberty to say because it was being considered by a committee and it is the committee that will recommend which appointment. I asked him the name of the Committee Chairman and he said he wouldn’t disclose so that he doesn’t come under pressure. I said ok.
“He then said I should urgently send my CV. I told him my CV was on file in his General Services Office and he said he wanted an updated version. I said fine. He asked me how he could get the CV and I said I would email it to him. He said I should go back to Barrister.
“Barrister will give me a special email address, not his personal or official one. I said “No problem.” He said “Of course, it needs to be accompanied by…” and then the call dropped. I tried to call him back but it didn’t go through anymore. I called Barrister too but no luck.”
Mocking the fraudsters, Abah added: “It seems that both numbers have now blocked me. I don’t want to miss this appointment that I have been lobbying for with my fencist tweets, now that I am being considered. What should I do? I am desperate! Any advice would be gratefully received.
“Barrister Larry Okorocha’s Number is 08092095323. You people should epp me beg him abeg. I am from Ebonyi. We are underrepresented everywhere. Abeg.”