Fraudsters Using Army Generals’ Names to Scam Nigerians

By: Abudu Olalekan

The warning came on Sunday through the Army’s official X account, where authorities revealed that scammers were operating fake Facebook profiles in the name of the Deputy Chief of Standards and Evaluation (Army), Major General Raymond Utsaha, while strangely using the photograph of the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Bamidele Alabi.

According to the Army, the accounts were created to trick unsuspecting Nigerians. Simple as that. The people behind them allegedly use fake conversations, unofficial messages, and financial requests to deceive members of the public.

In the statement, the Army made it clear that those Facebook accounts are not real and have no connection whatsoever with the senior officers involved.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that the said Facebook accounts are fake and were created with malicious intent to defraud individuals through false representations and unauthorised online engagements,” the statement noted.

The Army also advised Nigerians to ignore suspicious friend requests, unofficial chats, or any form of financial solicitation coming from such accounts. Especially ones asking for money or favours online. Big red flag.

It further reminded the public that senior military officers do not award contracts, discuss sensitive operations, or seek financial assistance through personal social media accounts or random online platforms. That’s not how official military business works.

The statement added that security agencies have been encouraged to monitor and report suspicious online activities linked to impersonation and cyber fraud.

The Army said efforts are ongoing to track individuals and groups involved in the fraudulent activities and take necessary action against them.