According to a statement from the ministry, one of the purported grant scheme headline catchwords read: “Good News to all Malawians: Global Entreprenuership Forum (GEF) together with the Ministry of Finance have partnered in giving out grants to all deserving Malawians and urging people to apply” through Social Media.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development has distanced itself from misinformation circulating on social media and other media outlets on grants and loan schemes, claiming to be originating from the ministry.
The ministry has named the following individuals Susan Wallani and Moses Miingi Njenga who are behind the scam and parading as employees or representatives of the ministry.
The ministry has warned the public that the purported loan or scheme grant is a scam and that they should not be duped by these so called agents.
It appears that many have fallen victim to the scam.
An applicant to the scam, said he came accross the grant offer on a Facebook page purportedly owned by Malawi Government which linked him to a Global Entreprenuership Forum webpage. He entered his details to apply and was later contacted by Susan Wallani. He said Wallani claimed to be the coordinator of grants in the ministry. The victim was sent a form to fill in personnal details but since he did not have GEF membership number. He was sent an email address for the regional coordinator Frida Awija based in Nairobi, Kenya.
The contact in Nairobi asked him to pay $100 to be registered as a member to benefit from the grant and loan scheme. But since he did not have the money he gave up. And on 26th November, the contact in Nairobi contacted him reminding him to register.
