The Management of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, has intensified efforts to protect students, contractors, staff, and the general public from an emerging wave of cyber fraudsters impersonating the Principal/Chief Executive, Engr. Dr. Samuel Onoji, across various social media platforms.
In a firm public disclaimer issued on Monday, the management of Petroleum Training Institute raised alarm over the activities of unscrupulous individuals who have cloned the identity of the Institute’s leadership on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
The institute described the act as criminal, deceptive, and a serious threat to its institutional reputation and stakeholder trust.
According to the statement, the fraudsters are using fake accounts bearing the name and image of Samuel Onoji to reach out to unsuspecting individuals.
Their tactics reportedly include sending unsolicited messages, requesting personal details, and in some cases, soliciting funds or offering fake contracts and admissions opportunities.
PTI management emphasized that neither the Principal nor any official representative of the institute engages in private financial negotiations, recruitment offers, or contract awards via social media platforms.
It warned that all official communications are strictly issued through verified institutional channels and recognized public notices.
The institute further stated that the increasing sophistication of online impersonation scams has necessitated urgent public awareness, especially as students, contractors, and prospective business partners are often targeted due to their perceived vulnerability or interest in engaging with the institution.
PTI urged members of the public to remain vigilant and verify any message or request allegedly coming from the Principal before taking action.
It also advised individuals to immediately report suspicious accounts to relevant law enforcement agencies and platform administrators for swift action and possible prosecution.
The management reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the institution and protecting all stakeholders from fraudulent activities.
It added that it is already working with cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to track, expose, and dismantle the fake accounts being used to defraud the public.
Reiterating its warning, PTI stressed that cybercrime laws in Nigeria will be fully enforced against perpetrators once identified, noting that impersonation and online fraud are punishable offenses under national legislation.
The Petroleum Training Institute concluded by urging the public to rely only on official PTI communication platforms for authentic information, while assuring continued vigilance in protecting the institution’s name, leadership, and community from digital exploitation.
