CBN Reveals Trick By Cyber Criminals Amid COVID-19 – Advises Nigerians

Nigerians have been alerted in a statement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday about the recent strategies cybercriminals are using to lure their prey into getting vital details from them in other to wreck their account (s).

According to the statement which made available to newsmen on Monday by the CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okoroafor, Nigerians must be on the alert as cybercriminals are making use of the current global pandemic, Coronavirus (COVID-19) to defraud people.

Mr Okoroafor noted that the criminals now steal sensitive information, gain unauthorized access to people’s computers and their mobile phones with different kind of tricks.

“One of the cybercrime activities was phishing campaigns where the criminals sent out emails claiming to be from health bodies like the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control or the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Okoroafor hinted.

“The email might contain a link, which if clicked, steals login credentials or other confidential information from the victim’s computer or mobile device.”

The CBN pointed out also that other means used by the criminals is the relief package trick, where messages are sent to individuals on social media, inviting people to click certain links and fill forms to register and get their relief packages. Adding also that some of them make deliberate calls to individuals and request for their bank details with the promise to help them deliver heir relieve packages from the government or other organisations.

Okoroafor said, “The criminals would simply use this to get confidential information from unwary victims.”

He, however, gave the assurance that the CBN would ensure that the country’s banking system remain secured, adding that it will make available further information as it comes.

Meanwhile, controversial on-air personality, Daddy Freeze has urged the government to disregard calls that the 5G network is responsible for the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease which has killed many people.