Freetown Mayor Issues Warning Following WhatsApp Account Compromise

Freetown Mayor Issues Warning Following WhatsApp Account Compromise

Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has issued an urgent warning advising the public to disregard all incoming messages from her WhatsApp number, following a cyber incident in which her account was hijacked to fraudulently solicit funds.

According to a statement from the Mayor, the breach occurred on Wednesday, September 9. Since then, perpetrators have actively utilized her compromised account to dispatch messages and request illicit financial transfers from her contacts.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr urged citizens and professional acquaintances to remain vigilant and ignore any communication originating from her WhatsApp number until an official follow-up notice is issued confirming that secure access has been restored.

This incident highlights an escalating wave of cyber scams and account takeover schemes across Sierra Leone. Addressing the issue in August, National Cybersecurity Coordinator Mariama Yormah warned that malicious actors frequently compromise personal social media and messaging accounts to deceive contacts into sending money under false pretenses.

Yormah emphasized that scammers commonly fabricate emergency scenarios, claiming the account owner is stranded or in immediate distress. She advised the public to rigorously verify any financial requests via alternative communication channels before taking action.

At present, it remains unconfirmed whether any individuals have suffered financial losses as a result of the fraudulent messages sent from the Mayor's compromised account.

The Mayor reiterated her plea for the public to disregard all messaging activity associated with the number until formal confirmation of account recovery is announced.