Beware Of Fake eNaira Social Media Accounts, CBN Warns Nigerians

Nigerians have been warned to beware of fake social media accounts of Nigeria’s digital currency, e-Naira.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria in a statement on Wednesday, an impostor handle has been posting messages related to the digital currency with the intent of defrauding Nigerians.

The warning which comes two days after the eNaira was launched, advised Nigerians to be careful as impostors are already creating fake Twitter accounts to steal from people

CBN said, “Members of the public should always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: www.enaira.gov.ng or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them.

The statement reads, “Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, October 25, 2021, the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent Twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the Bank.

“The impostor handle and fraudulent persons have been posting messages related to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 Billion eNaira currency.

“These impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting members of the public through the links attached to their messages for application to obtain eNaira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion eNaira currency.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Central of Nigeria (CBN) is not the owner of that Twitter handle (@enaira_cbdc) and indeed suspended its presence on Twitter following the Federal Government’s Ban.

“In effect, the Bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens. To this end, members of the public are hereby warned to be wary of fraudsters who have resolved to take advantage of unsuspecting Nigerians.

“For clarity, the current official social media handles of the eNaira are: www.facebook.com/myenaira; www.instagram.com/myenaira and www.youtube.com/myenaira

“Any suspicious activity by members of the public should be reported to the CBN using helpdesk@enaira.gov.ng or to relevant law enforcement agencies.

Some IT specialist had also warned that the advent of the eNaira could lead to new crime level if cyber security was not strengthened. They said fraud would be on the rise because connected information like Bank Verification Numbers, account numbers, eNaira Speed Wallet details, among others, will be accessible online.

Omotayo Araoye

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