Governor: Be wary of scams

 EAST New Britain Governor Ereman ToBaining Jnr has warned people in the province to be wary of individuals and groups trying to lure money out of them.

He said that scams were springing up everywhere and has urged people not to fall for “sweet talk” by these individuals and groups with promises to make more money in a short time.

“There are some operating on the streets of Kokopo, under the shade of trees in towns and at other locations. Do not be fooled,” he said.

Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar issued a similar warning during the provincial assembly early this week.

He said people should know that there was no easy way out but should not invest into companies they did not know.

Con artists and groups were out to steal money from people, he said.

With the cocoa crop being infected by the cocoa pod borer disease and copra prices suffering on the world market, people should use their money sensible,” he said.

“Keep away from these scams and learn from past mistakes where many people lost their money,” he said.

ToBaining said lazy people went about to try to fool others.

Leaders of these groups pretended to be pastors and even used God’s name to make people believe them, he said.

“Others have claimed to have met the prime minister or use other national parliamentarians’ names or use big overseas agencies to steal money from the people,” he said.