The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Ikechukwu Dozie, has warned members of the public against a fake Facebook account allegedly created and operated in his name.

The university disclosed the development in a statement, warning members of the public, particularly students, staff and members of the university community, to be cautious of any communication or requests originating from the fraudulent account.

The fake account is reportedly using the identity of the Vice-Chancellor in an attempt to create the impression that it is an authentic account belonging to him.

The development has raised concerns over the growing use of fake social media profiles to impersonate public officials and prominent individuals.

Such accounts can potentially be used to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, solicit money, obtain personal information or circulate false information.

The university therefore urged members of the public to verify the authenticity of any social media account claiming to belong to the Vice-Chancellor before responding to messages or acting on information posted through such platforms.

The warning is particularly important for students and staff who may receive messages concerning university activities, appointments, payments, academic matters or other official issues through social media.

The institution advised members of the university community to rely on official communication channels for information concerning the university and its management.

The Vice-Chancellor’s warning also comes amid increasing concerns over online impersonation, as social media platforms continue to provide opportunities for individuals to create accounts using the names and identities of other people.

Fake accounts involving public officials can create confusion and damage the reputation of the individuals being impersonated, while also exposing members of the public to possible fraud.

The university has therefore called on anyone who encounters the fraudulent account or receives suspicious communication from it to exercise caution and report the account through the appropriate channels.

The institution further stressed the importance of confirming information before sharing or acting on it, particularly when such information involves financial transactions or personal details.

The development highlights the need for greater digital awareness among students and other social media users, especially as criminals increasingly exploit the identities of public figures to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.

FUTO management is expected to continue monitoring the situation and taking appropriate steps to protect the identity of its principal officers and members of the university community.

Members of the public have consequently been advised not to engage with or rely on the fake Facebook account and to seek confirmation through the university’s recognised communication channels whenever they are uncertain about information attributed to the Vice-Chancellor.