The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget of Côte d’Ivoire has raised a red flag over an alarming surge in fraudulent online schemes sweeping across social media platforms. In a strongly worded statement issued from Abidjan, the ministry cautioned citizens about deceptive advertisements falsely linked to the Ivorian financial administration.

According to the ministry, over the past few weeks, fraudsters have been circulating misleading content on the internet. These posts claim that official mechanisms exist to guarantee substantial monthly earnings—up to two million West African CFA francs—with nothing more required than a simple registration and no actual service rendered. While the promise may sound enticing, the ministry emphasized that it is entirely fabricated to lure unsuspecting individuals into elaborate scams.

The statement highlighted the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals to make their fraudulent offers appear credible. In many instances, they impersonate high-ranking government officials, including the Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, or close associates. Some even use the minister’s image or fabricate quotes to lend authenticity to their false claims.

The ministry was unequivocal: these announcements have no connection to its operations and constitute outright fraud. It strongly advised the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid sharing sensitive personal or banking information with unknown entities on digital platforms.

Beyond financial losses, the ministry warned of the severe risks associated with falling prey to such schemes. Victims not only lose money but also risk identity theft, extortion and potential blackmail by these cybercriminal networks. The scammers exploit public trust to extract funds or compromise digital security.

In response, the ministry confirmed it has already taken action in coordination with relevant authorities to identify, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of these malicious activities.

This warning comes at a time when digital fraud is escalating across West Africa, with social media increasingly used as a tool to spread misinformation. The Ivorian authorities urge all citizens to verify the credibility of online information before signing up for services or conducting transactions.