The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a public warning following reports that fraudsters are posing as CFTC officials to extort money from individuals and businesses.
“The impersonators approach members of the public under the guise of conducting inspections or investigations, demanding on-the-spot payments in exchange for leniency or clearance,” said CFTC Chief Executive Officer Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma.
The Commission has clarified that its officers always carry valid government-issued identification and official documents bearing the Commission’s official letterhead, and are never authorised to collect money during inspections or market surveillance.
Any penalties imposed by the CFTC are determined by Commissioners only after a thorough investigation and are formally communicated to affected parties in writing, not verbally or through field visits.
The public has also been cautioned against emails claiming to originate from the CFTC but sent from generic email addresses, and the Commission stresses that all official correspondence is issued only through verified government domains.
The CFTC has further reminded the public that impersonating a public officer is a criminal offence under the Penal Code and urged heightened vigilance when approached by anyone claiming to represent the Commission.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious encounters directly to the CFTC via its toll-free line at 2489, official communication channels, or the nearest police station.
