The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has cautioned the public against the activities of some persons, who have been fraudulently using the name of the Ministry to dupe and extort moneys from unsuspecting members of the public with “empty-promises” to acquire visas for them.

The Ministry in a statement said it is not responsible for acquiring visas for the general public.

“Only public servants and government officials on official duties outside the country may be assisted as and when necessary,” the statement said.

The Ministry has therefore urged prospective visa applicants who are not public servants to engage directly with the relevant foreign embassies without recourse to middlemen.

The statement further warned those who have been impersonating officials of the Ministry in order to exhort moneys from the public that such criminal acts shall not be tolerated.

The Ministry encouraged the public to report such persons to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.