In a clarification note, the Ministry of Finance mentions that the false document has as its subject "Business Subsidy Fund Approval", the date of October 19, 2022 and the serial number: MIN/GAO/B9-FIN16.
The Ministry of Finance clarifies that the document "presents a forged signature on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Vera Daves de Sousa".
In the document, the minister allegedly certifies that "her office confirms receipt of her submitted application form [for] a corporate subsidy program."
The same document also notes that funds would be allocated from the current budget to meet the alleged request.
"The Ministry of Finance denies the authenticity of such a document, whose content, nature and signatures are completely false, in addition to repudiating and demarcating itself from this attempted fraud", underlines the note.
According to the Ministry of Finance, it appears to be "a network of counterfeiters" and fraudsters, but it is certain that the competent bodies, in police and judicial matters, "will take the necessary steps to neutralize and penalize them".
The Ministry of Finance appeals to society, especially the business class, to adhere to the procedures and always confirm the veracity of this type of documents and report their origin to the authorities.
In order to respond and deal with the most varied concerns of citizens and companies, the Ministry of Finance makes available all its organic areas and supervised bodies qualified for this purpose, stresses the note.
The ministerial body advises citizens to refrain from similar practices, forged in an attempt to circumvent or harm the good name of the institution and its top leaders, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that all wrongdoers, including those who resort to the use of fake accounts on social networks, are exemplarily punished.
