The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is warning its social protection recipients and elderly persons that some people in the community are going around impersonating welfare officers, claiming that Government through the Ministry is giving funds for Christmas and New Year.
It says these persons are promising that funds to the amount of $9,000 will be provided for Tropical Cyclone Sarai Relief and in order for recipients to receive the assistance, they will have to pay a fee of $90 to $150 for the processing of their application.
The Ministry has warned people that this is not true and also Social welfare does not charge a processing fee.
It says these impersonators are targeting the elderly, and unfortunately, several recipients had been duped in this bogus scheme in Lautoka.
The Ministry is advising all its recipients that this is a hoax and therefore they are not to accommodate any individuals approaching them with such information.
If it happens, people should demand a Ministry ID card and report the matter to the nearest Police Station or Social Welfare Office.
