Togo Ministry of Agriculture warns of fraudulent subsidy scams

Togo’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources and Food Sovereignty (MAPRASA) has issued a warning regarding a wave of fraudulent schemes targeting farmers, cooperatives, and young entrepreneurs. Scammers are using sophisticated fake administrative documents, complete with official headers and stamps, to promise agricultural subsidies and fund disbursements.

The fraudulent method involves contacting victims via WhatsApp and Facebook to claim they have been selected for funding. To release the funds, victims are pressured to pay upfront “processing fees” or “legal fees,” such as 660 USD, or to provide sensitive banking information and personal identification. One specific scam involves claims that transfers are managed through a regional office in Kenya, which the ministry notes is inconsistent with Togolese public subsidy procedures.

The ministry has emphasized that no public funding or subsidy from MAPRASA is ever conditioned upon prior payment. Citizens are advised to never share bank details or personal information with unknown numbers and to verify all official programs through the ministry’s certified website and regional offices. Authorities are currently working to identify the perpetrators.