PTI Issues Strong Fraud Alert to General Public As Cybercriminals Target Institute Boss
By Wilson Macaulay
The Management of the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, has issued a strong public fraud alert warning members of the general public, students, stakeholders, industry partners, and the online community against the activities of cybercriminals who have allegedly created fake social media accounts to impersonate the Principal and Chief Executive of the institution.
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In a press statement made available to journalists in Effurun, the management disclosed that the fraudulent accounts are being used by unidentified scammers to deceive unsuspecting individuals through false claims, fake promises, and unauthorized communications purportedly originating from the office of the PTI boss.
The institution described the development as criminal, deceptive, and capable of tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of the foremost oil and gas training institution in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the cybercriminals are allegedly exploiting the name, identity, and official status of the Principal and Chief Executive in an attempt to lure members of the public into fraudulent dealings, including fake employment offers, financial requests, scholarship claims, contract opportunities, and other forms of online scams.
The management emphasized that the Principal and Chief Executive of PTI does not operate or authorize any unofficial social media account for personal business transactions, financial solicitations, or unofficial engagements with the public. It therefore warned Nigerians to disregard any message, request, or online communication coming from suspicious platforms bearing the identity or photographs of the institution’s leadership without proper verification.
PTI further stated that all official communications of the institute are disseminated strictly through verified institutional channels and authorized public communication platforms. Members of the public were strongly advised to exercise caution and avoid responding to unsolicited messages demanding money, personal information, banking details, or other sensitive data in the name of the institute or its management.
The institution noted that the activities of impersonators and online fraud syndicates have become increasingly sophisticated in recent times, particularly with the growing influence of social media platforms. Management stressed that cybercrime remains a serious threat capable of undermining public confidence, institutional integrity, and digital security if not promptly checked.
While condemning the criminal activities in strong terms, PTI assured the public that relevant security agencies and cybercrime authorities have been notified and are currently taking steps to investigate, track, and apprehend those behind the fake accounts and impersonation scheme. The institute reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of its leadership, staff, students, and stakeholders from fraudulent exploitation.
The statement urged anyone who encounters suspicious online accounts, fake profiles, or fraudulent communications linked to the PTI leadership to immediately report such activities to the appropriate authorities or directly to the management of the institution for verification and necessary action.
Management also used the opportunity to reiterate the institute’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, digital responsibility, and ethical conduct in all its engagements. It called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the collective fight against cybercrime and identity theft.
Industry stakeholders and members of the academic community have commended the proactive step taken by the institute in issuing the public alert, noting that such timely warnings are necessary to safeguard innocent citizens from falling victim to internet fraudsters and criminal impersonators operating across digital platforms.
The Petroleum Training Institute remains one of Nigeria’s leading specialized institutions for manpower development in the oil, gas, energy, and allied industries, with a longstanding reputation for excellence in technical training, innovation, and professional capacity building.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 25TH 2026)
