By Morlai Sesay
In a stern advisory, the Governor of the Central Bank, Ibrahim Stevens, has cautioned the public against falling victim to schemes like Super Advertise, labeling it a scam during a press conference convened to announce the discontinuation of old Leone notes as legal tender.
Responding to inquiries from journalists, Governor Stevens emphasized the need for public awareness regarding fraudulent schemes. He stated, “We have been dealing with this problem for the past few days, and the Bank of Sierra Leone has done its best to reassure the public. We always advise the public that, please, don’t get into these schemes because they are usually too good to be true.”
Governor Stevens highlighted the bank’s previous encounter with a similar scam called “Passive Greenwell” a couple of months ago, where investigations were conducted, accounts were closed, and evidence was handed over to the police.
Addressing the nature of Super Advertise, he explained, “We understand it is an outfit based on mobile money using the internet, and there is an app going around. We have not licensed them; we licensed Orange Money and others.” He further noted that Orange Money had taken action by closing some locations associated with these schemes and had distanced itself from them.
Governor Stevens strongly reiterated his advice to the public, warning against the allure of schemes promising unrealistic returns. He stated, “It is not easy for somebody to give you one hundred percent of your money overnight; it’s never true; it’s a lie. Don’t fall for it. If you have your resources, please open an account… but honestly, most of these schemes are fictitious and scams. It’s a lie, and you’ll lose your money.”
In conclusion, Governor Stevens urged individuals to exercise due diligence before engaging with any financial scheme. He advised, “When anybody comes to you, ask them if they are registered with the central bank. If you are, show us your registration. For those who can use the internet, search to see whether the central bank has authorized them, but most have never. These are just people trying to prey on and exploit the unsuspecting public.”
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