Why e-fraud thrives in Nigeria – NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted residents of Bauchi State over the increase in electronic fraud that hit up their hard-earned money through their commercial banks and the point of sales (PoS).

 

According to the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), between January and August 2023, Nigeria lost N9.5 billion to defraud.

 

The Director of Consumers Affairs; NCC, Umar Alkazeem, while enlightening residents of Bauchi through the Commission’s “Shine Your Eyes, No Fall Mugu” campaign on Thursday, said that telecommunications subscribers are still being defrauded due to unnecessary trust in family, friends and strangers by exposing their sensitive information on the internet and offline.

 

He said greed on the part of some network subscribers is exacerbating the illegal activities. Alkazeem said that many people want quick money or multiple interests and click on fraudulent links asking them to confirm money that was given to them, thereby falling victims.

 

Alkazeem who was represented by Banji Ojo, Head of Consumers Policy Development and Monitoring of the Consumers Affairs Department, said: “They send a link to you that you have a lottery you never played or send you message you have won a certain amount and you need to call Mr A or B to get the money, once you click on the or provide any information you’re done.”

 

He warned Nigeria not to give five vital information on their debit cards. He said that the information include; the 16-digit number, three-digit number at the back, card name, expiry date and the card PIN.

 

He urged the residents to report strange debit alerts from their accounts to financial institutions and carry the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and security agencies along.