The Central Bank of Samoa (C.B.S.) has alerted the public to the illegal use of its logo on a social media gaming app and says the use of the image doesn't endorse the gaming app.

In a written statement distributed to the local media on Wednesday afternoon, the C.B.S. said it has also commenced investigations to identify the perpetrators behind the illegal use of the logo.

"It has come to the attention of the Central Bank of Samoa that there is an app game on the social media site Facebook that is using our logo (refer screenshots)," reads the bank's statement. 

"Please be advised that C.B.S. does not endorse or relate to this game app in any way and does not take responsibility for anything that occurs with its usage. These activities are not in our mandate."

The bank also added that the use of the C.B.S. logo and images is illegal and fraudulent and in their view is "a forgery of electronic Data as per Samoa’s Crimes Act". 

"The use of the C.B.S. logo in this instance is plainly to deceive potential users of its validity."

The public were urged to be vigilant and avoid such scams with the bank also reminded people to refrain from sharing these scams online.

"C.B.S. is currently working to identify such individuals responsible. Once identified they will be reported to the Samoa Police Services for appropriate action."

The bank did not attach screenshots of the illegal C.B.S. logo to the email that was used to distribute its written statement. The Samoa Observer has asked the Government Press Secretariat, which distributed the written statement on behalf of the bank, for the screenshots of the illegal logo.