Attempts to defraud people through social media using the name of the Green Village Project reported

The Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development has announced that attempts are being made to commit financial fraud through social media using the name of the Green Village Project, also known as the Mya Sein Yaung (Emerald Green) Village Project.

The ministry said it had found that some Facebook and TikTok accounts were attempting to commit financial fraud by digitally altering photographs of Department of Rural Development offices, department logos, and photographs documenting department staff disbursing project loans and conducting training sessions in villages using Photoshop, while using the name of the Green Village Project.

The Green Village Project is implemented with the aim of reducing rural poverty by creating employment opportunities and increasing family incomes among rural residents. Villages for the project are selected transparently through a review process involving representatives from the respective Hluttaws, relevant organizations and Township Planning and Implementation Committee (TPIC) members, according to the ministry.

It also stated that project officials visit selected villages to introduce and explain the project, form village Green Village Project working groups, and provide the project funds directly to the villages as seed capital. The funds are managed by the villagers themselves, and members of the village groups are not required to pay any money.

The ministry warned that the Green Village Project does not provide loans through social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, and urged the public to exercise caution to avoid falling victim to financial scams. It also said the project is being expanded annually depending on the availability of funds, and villages wishing to participate in the Green Village Project can contact the relevant Township Department of Rural Development.