Ministry of Industry Warns Against Fake Grant and ...

Ministry of Industry Warns Against Fake Grant and Loan Offers

Oscar J. Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has issued an official warning to the public about fraudulent grant and loan offers circulating on Facebook and via personal emails, falsely claiming to be from various departments within the ministry. The ministry clarified that these offers are the work of scammers targeting unsuspecting individuals and organizations, luring them into applying for non-existent loans, which ultimately result in financial loss.

According to the ministry, some red flags to be aware of include fake loans, grants, and advertisements, as well as fraudulent offer letters using official-sounding names and titles to appear legitimate. These scams aim to extract personal and financial information or demand payment for processing fees under the guise of loan or grant approvals that never materialize.

A representative of the ministry stated, “The Ministry takes this opportunity to advise all stakeholders and citizens that it is not offering loans or grants. Anyone approached with such a proposition via email, Facebook, or any other medium must not entertain these offers.”

To safeguard the public from these scams, the ministry urged citizens to verify the legitimacy of such offers through its communication unit. They also advised remaining vigilant against unsolicited messages or emails offering free money or grants, never sharing personal or financial information with unverified sources, and reporting any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

Government officials, including ministers, have also been frequent targets of scammers. One recent incident involved cloned Facebook accounts impersonating officials to lure individuals into a fake investment scheme under the guise of a Fidelity Ponzi operation.

This warning serves as a critical reminder for the public to stay alert and protect themselves from potential fraud.