The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a memorandum warning other government agencies against impostors posing as its Secretary and soliciting funds via social media and messaging platforms.
The DA said on Friday, that it had received reports of individuals “soliciting financial assistance,” and “nefarious” intentions, under Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s name.
The memo cautioned that the fraudsters used the secretary’s contact number and image, to give their directives the appearance of credibility.
The agency instructed recipients of requests sent through messaging applications or social media to disregard it and call the Office of the Secretary to confirm the source of the instruction.
“All instructions from the Secretary shall be through written communication with his signature and sent through the official email account of the Office of the Secretary,” the memo states.
The memo also directed fellow officials to publicize its contents on their agencies’ websites for the public’s awareness.
“The Secretary of Agriculture does not engage in soliciting financial help nor has authorized anyone to do so on his behalf,” it clarified.
Officials were enjoined to contact DA Chief-Of-Staff Alvin John Balagbag, who signed the document.
