Following increased defrauding of bank customers who are tricked into believing that they are will be receiving relief packages, the Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians on phishing messages and mobile application used in stealing sensitive data from bank customers.
There had been a spike in fraud cases as fraudsters spread messages via WhatsApp about Covid-19 or relief packages with links where they obtain sensitive information from unsuspecting Nigerians with the aim of emptying their bank accounts.
CBN in statement issued yesterday urged bank customers to take precautionary measures as it said it will continue to monitor and investigate the activities of the fraudsters and provide updates as they occur.
The statement which was signed by the CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okoroafor alerted that cyber-criminals are taking advantage of the current Covid-19 pandemic to defraud citizens, steal sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access to computers or mobile devices using various techniques.
“This trend is not peculiar to Nigeria as there has been a rise in Covid-19-related cybercriminal activities all over the world. Our priority is to ensure that Nigerian banking customers are aware of the ongoing trend to prevent them from falling victim to such cybercrimes.”
It noted that some of the cyber criminals use phishing campaigns where they send out emails claiming to be from health organizations such as the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). The email may contain a link which, if clicked, steals login credentials or other confidential information from the victim’s computer or mobile device.
The cyber-criminals have also been sending messages via social media or emails asking people to click on links to register in order to get their Covid-19 relief packages from the Government or other organisations. They simply use this to get confidential information from unwary victims. Relief package scams also come in the form of phone calls asking people to provide their banking details to receive relief packages.
In some instances the cyber-criminals have also placed calls to individuals claiming to be staff of their banks and asking them to get mobile apps that would help them get through this pandemic period. Such mobile apps are however used to steal information from the victims’ mobile phones among other things. Criminals have also produced Covid-19 maps, which steal information in the background.
To ensure that bank customers and citizens do not fall victim to these cyber-crimes, urged that customers should beware of and verify emails or phone calls claiming to be from NCDC, WHO or Government, especially when such emails request your banking information or to click on a link. Visit official websites of relevant organisations for desired information.
It also urged that they avoid clicking on links or attachments in emails that claim to have more information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, downloading mobile apps from untrusted sources; and obtain relief package or other information from trusted news media.
While we work to keep safe physically and prevent further spread of the virus, members of the public should endeavor to apply caution in order to beat not just the COVID-19 Virus but also the cyber-criminals seeking to take advantage of its spread for nefarious acts.