THE federal government yesterday raised the alarm over the activities of some fraudsters who parade themselves as staff of the Federal Scholarship Board in order to defraud unsuspecting federal scholarship applicants, parents and scholars.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobila, who disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing in Abuja, also announced that similar reports have been received on admissions into the Federal Unity Colleges.

He said: “It has come to the notice of the management of the Federal Ministry of Education that some fraudulent persons who parade themselves as staff of the Federal Scholarship Board are contacting Federal Scholarship applicants/scholars via telephone calls and text messages demanding payment of money into some particular bank accounts before their scholarships are processed and awarded.”

Nwaobila said that although no one has been arrested, the fraudulent acts have been reported to the law enforcement agents for further investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

The permanent secretary disclosed that no payment of money is required throughout the entire process, and the awards are usually advertised in the national media.

He also emphasised that the ministry does not charge money to offer admission at any level.

“If a candidate is not selected under national merit, state equity or other criteria, there are no agents that would be paid to make the admission possible. Please be mindful of admission racketeers.