Abia warns residents against fake N65,000 Otti giveaway

The Abia State Government has warned residents and the general public against a viral message claiming that the Alex Otti Foundation is distributing N65,000 cash transfers as part of Governor Alex Otti’s 61st birthday celebration.

The government described the message as false and fraudulent, warning that it was designed to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said fraudsters were circulating a message which read: “Gov Alex Otti 61st Birthday Celebration Cash Transfer – Gov Alex Otti Giving Out N65,000 to Nigerians… Powered by: Otti Foundation.”

Ukoha said neither the Abia State Government, Governor Otti nor the Alex Otti Foundation had authorised or endorsed any such programme.

According to him, there is currently no official cash transfer initiative linked to the governor’s birthday.

He said the websites promoting the giveaway were fraudulent and not affiliated with the state government or the foundation.

Ukoha said: “They are phishing sites designed to steal personal information, bank details, BVN, OTPs, and money from unsuspecting victims.”

He warned that individuals who interact with the websites risk exposing themselves to financial and identity-related crimes.

According to him: “Clicking the links or entering your details can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and unauthorised access to your bank and mobile money accounts.”

The government advised residents to ignore the message and refrain from sharing it with others.

Ukoha said: “Do not click the links or provide any personal or financial information.”

He added that all official announcements and programmes of the Abia State Government are communicated only through official government channels.

According to him, residents should rely on the official Abia State Government website and verified social media platforms for authentic information.