MIT warns public about grant scam
The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) has alerted the public that there are no obligations to pay any sum of money in order to apply for or to receive the StartUp Survival Grant.
The StartUp Survival Grant is a relief measure to assist start-up businesses. StartUp Namibia, in partnership with MIT and with funding from the German Government, designed the Covid-19 StartUp Grant Fund amounting to N$ 3 million.
The Covid-19 StartUp Grant will help small businesses meeting the eligibility criteria to receive a direct supplement to pay wages, fixed costs, and offset decline in revenue during the lockdown.
MIT said it is aware of an ongoing scam soliciting funds from the public in an illicit manner, purportedly for the facilitation of the grant.
“We would like to inform the public that application for the StartUp Survival Grant is free of charge. There are no obligations to pay any sum of money in order to apply for or to receive the grant, neither will StartUp Namibia call and ask for payment in order to apply for the grant or to receive the grant,” said the statement.
Further the ministry said it wishes to inform the public such exercise is a scam and the sole intention is to mislead and defraud the public.
“The public is advised to alert the police if commanded to pay by any person; it is a criminal offence to solicit, receive or pay bribes. We encourage the public to apply online for the StartUp Survival Grant and if in doubt, contact us,” said the ministry. - Nampa
The StartUp Survival Grant is a relief measure to assist start-up businesses. StartUp Namibia, in partnership with MIT and with funding from the German Government, designed the Covid-19 StartUp Grant Fund amounting to N$ 3 million.
The Covid-19 StartUp Grant will help small businesses meeting the eligibility criteria to receive a direct supplement to pay wages, fixed costs, and offset decline in revenue during the lockdown.
MIT said it is aware of an ongoing scam soliciting funds from the public in an illicit manner, purportedly for the facilitation of the grant.
“We would like to inform the public that application for the StartUp Survival Grant is free of charge. There are no obligations to pay any sum of money in order to apply for or to receive the grant, neither will StartUp Namibia call and ask for payment in order to apply for the grant or to receive the grant,” said the statement.
Further the ministry said it wishes to inform the public such exercise is a scam and the sole intention is to mislead and defraud the public.
“The public is advised to alert the police if commanded to pay by any person; it is a criminal offence to solicit, receive or pay bribes. We encourage the public to apply online for the StartUp Survival Grant and if in doubt, contact us,” said the ministry. - Nampa
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