The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget of Côte d’Ivoire has strongly cautioned the public against a surge in online scams promising unrealistic monthly earnings. In an official statement issued in Abidjan on May 13, 2026, the government agency exposed fraudulent schemes circulating across social media platforms that falsely claim to offer legitimate income opportunities through the ministry’s name.

How the scams are structured

According to the alert, these fraudulent operations lure victims by advertising supposed official programs that supposedly allow individuals to earn up to two million West African CFA francs per month—after a simple registration and without any required service provision. The ministry clarified that such offers are entirely fabricated and have no basis in reality.

Perpetrators behind these schemes employ highly deceptive tactics to appear credible. Many impersonate high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, or misuse their names and likeness to lend false legitimacy to their fraudulent proposals.

Risks and consequences

The Ministry emphasized that these fraudulent announcements are not associated with any government agency and are solely designed to deceive unsuspecting individuals. It urged the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown entities on digital platforms.

Victims of such scams face severe risks, including financial losses, identity theft, extortion and even blackmail. These criminals exploit the trust and expectations of vulnerable individuals, manipulating them into disclosing sensitive information or transferring funds under false pretenses.

Government response and preventive measures

In response to the growing threat, the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget has initiated coordinated efforts with law enforcement to identify, track down and prosecute those responsible for these malicious activities. The government is actively working to dismantle these fraudulent networks and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The authorities also called on all citizens to adopt a critical approach when evaluating online offers. They stressed the importance of verifying the authenticity of any financial opportunity before engaging in transactions or sharing sensitive data. This warning comes amid a broader rise in digital scams across West Africa, where social media is increasingly being exploited as a tool for deception.

The Ministry remains committed to safeguarding public trust and protecting citizens from fraudulent schemes, urging everyone to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst