The Abia State Government has warned residents and members of the public to disregard a viral online message claiming that the Otti Foundation is offering ₦65,000 cash transfers as part of Governor Alex Otti’s 61st birthday celebration.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, described the claim as false and fraudulent, stressing that neither the state government nor the Alex Otti Foundation is behind the purported giveaway.

According to him, the message being circulated online falsely advertises a programme titled, “Gov Alex Otti 61st Birthday Celebration Cash Transfer – Gov Alex Otti Giving Out ₦65,000 to Nigerians… Powered by: Otti Foundation.”

Ukoha clarified that there is currently no official programme of that nature and stated that no cash transfer, birthday giveaway, or ₦65,000 payment has been authorised, initiated, or endorsed by the Abia State Government, Governor Alex Otti, or the Alex Otti Foundation.

He warned that the websites linked to the message are fraudulent phishing platforms created to deceive unsuspecting individuals into revealing sensitive personal and financial information.

According to the statement, the fake websites are not affiliated with either the Abia State Government or the Alex Otti Foundation and are designed to obtain details such as bank account information, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), One-Time Passwords (OTPs), and other personal data.

He cautioned that anyone who clicks on the links or submits personal information could become a victim of financial fraud, identity theft, or unauthorised access to bank and mobile money accounts.

The government therefore advised the public to ignore the message entirely, avoid interacting with the links, and refrain from sharing the content with others.

“Do not click the links or provide any personal or financial information,” the statement warned.

Ukoha further reminded residents that all official announcements, programmes, and information from the Abia State Government are communicated exclusively through the government's official website and verified social media platforms.

The government urged the public to remain vigilant and verify information through official channels before responding to online offers or promotions.