The Niger Delta Development Commission has denied claims that it?s giving a Christmas cash transfer of N30,000 to people to celebrate the Yuletide season.

According to a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday,the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, attributed the falsehood to the handiwork of fraudsters and impostors claiming to represent the commission by luring people to apply through a cloned Facebook account bearing the name and picture of its board Chairman, Chiedu Ebie.

The commission advised members of the public to be wary of the antics of criminal elements whose intent is to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The statement read, ?We wish to advise the public not to fall prey to the scams and schemes of these impostors claiming to represent NDDC officials. Our attention has been drawn to the fraudulent acts of some criminals luring people through a cloned Facebook account with the name and picture of the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie.

?The fake Facebook account with the caption, ?Niger Delta State 30,000 Naira Xmas Cash Transfer? claims that ?the Niger Delta State Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie is giving 30,000 Naira for Xmas celebration.?

?The fraudulent account invites people to register and apply for the Xmas cash transfer. The public should note that the NDDC Chairman and the commission have nothing to do with the fake account which is being used to deceive and defraud unsuspecting people.

?The security agencies have been alerted to investigate and bring the criminals to justice. We also urge anyone who comes across these fraudulent activities to report promptly to the security agencies for necessary action,? it added.

The commission also warned the public to avoid doing business with persons of questionable character, stating, ?Anyone who deals with such persons does so at their own risk, and the NDDC or its officials will not be liable for any loss or damage from such transactions.

?We urge those seeking information on NDDC?s activities and programmes to cross-check facts at the commission?s official website (www.nddc.gov.ng) and our verified socialmediahandles.? (The PUNCH)