PM: Be aware of fraudsters

 PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has warned citizens to be wary of illegal money-making schemes operating in the country.

He told Parliament yesterday there were individuals and groups going around luring people to contribute money into these “schemes” with the promise of reaping benefits from them later.

“I’m aware that there is a group of people going around claiming to be ex-servicemen and women virtually trying to make money at the expense of the ignorance our people,” he said.

“I urge the public to be wary of this.” He said the government had made no arrangements to support the schemes nor was it in a position to help those who fell victims to the illegal scheming operations in the country.

Nuku MP Joe Sungi had urged O’Neill and the Government to put a stop to such schemes.

Sungi said a group of people claiming to be war veterans had gone into Nuku collecting money from the people and promising them profitable returns.

One such scheme operating in Lae two years ago promised parents favourable returns for the money invested. The parents were angry when they realised later that they were being conned.