Samoa Airways is warning the public about a fake post currently circulating on Facebook claiming that the airline and the government are giving away “subsidy gifts” and offering $10,000 to people who answer questions or click on a link.

The airline emphasises that this is false. Samoa Airways said in a statement that they are not giving any gifts, subsidies, cash prizes, or promotional payments, and the government has not approved or started any such program. 

"The post is a scam designed to deceive people and potentially collect personal information," said Samoa Airways.

Samoa Airways strongly warned the public not to open, click on, or share the Facebook post or any similar messages, as these scams can lead to phishing attacks, malware, or other online dangers.

Speaking about the scam, Samoa Airways Chief Executive Officer Fauoo Taua Fatu Tielu said with the fast-paced nature of today’s online environment, false information can spread more rapidly than ever. 

"Scams like these are becoming increasingly common and more sophisticated. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and to verify any suspicious claims before engaging with them," he said. 

"Samoa Airways remains committed to honesty and transparency and we urge the public to rely only on our official communication channels.

"Samoa Airways encourages the public to verify any messages claiming to be from the airline by contacting them directly through their official website or by phone. The airline sincerely thanks the public for their vigilance and assistance in helping to stop the spread of these scams."

Similar scams are also using the Vodafone Samoa and Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) names and images with similar offerings. Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Rana Bose and  BSP Samoa Country Head Jennifer Ula-Fruean were contacted for comments but are currently on leave.