Ministry warns against scam using secretary’s identity to seek bank details

A group of fraudsters has allegedly been making WhatsApp calls to officials, seeking their bank details by offering "financial incentives"

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has warned of a fraud scheme in which scammers are using the name and photo of Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana to deceive officials.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry said it had recently become aware of such “fraudulent activities”.

According to the ministry, a group of fraudsters has been making WhatsApp calls to officials from the number 01851-274565, pretending to be the secretary. The calls allegedly offered “financial incentives” on behalf of the ministry's advisor, while asking for sensitive information such as credit card and bank account details.

The ministry said that the number did not belong to the secretary, and stressed that any claim of financial incentives being provided was “entirely baseless and fabricated”.

Officials and the public have been urged not to share credit card details, bank account numbers, or any other personal information in response to such calls.

The ministry also advised people to ignore communications from the number or any other unfamiliar numbers claiming to represent the secretary.

It further requested that anyone receiving such fraudulent calls lodge a complaint with the ministry itself or report the matter to the nearest police station.