Several school and college principals’ WhatsApp accounts have been hacked by scammers using these accounts to ask students and parents for money. This alarming situation has prompted the Ministry of Education and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to take action to prevent further fraud.
The scammers are reportedly impersonating principals and sending messages to students and their families, requesting financial help. In response, the Ministry and FDE have advised principals to immediately inform students and parents about the scam and stay vigilant.
M. Qamaruddin, Director of Urban Institutions at the FDE, has highlighted the seriousness of the issue by sharing details of these incidents with educational institutions. The aim is to raise awareness and protect students, parents, and school staff from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.
Schools and colleges have been encouraged to spread the message through official channels and advise everyone not to respond to suspicious messages or make any financial transactions without verification.
The authorities are also working to track down the scammers and secure the hacked accounts. Meanwhile, they urge everyone to double-check any financial requests and report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
This incident serves as a reminder to stay cautious online and prioritize cybersecurity to avoid falling prey to such scams in the future.