Be wary, online scammers have flooded online space, Magu warns Nigerians

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has advised Nigerians to be wary of scammers who have flooded the online space and social media platforms looking for would-be victims.

He said they use fraudulent online job advertisements, fake Nigerian Customs Service auctions, and also impersonate as bank staff to get at their victims.

“Any phone call demanding for your bank information, especially your BVN, may be a scam because no bank will ask you for such,” he said.

Additionally, he advised the public to shun online investments, which claim to pay huge percentages within a short period of time, stating that such investments may be fraudulent.

A statement by the EFCC new Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, quoted Magu as speaking in Kaduna on Thursday, during a live Hausa radio programme: “Chirin Kasanmu Ayau,” on Kaduna State Media Corporation’s (KSMC).

He further charged parents to properly guide their children and wards, on the use of the Internet in the face of lockdown in some states and nationwide closure of schools.

Head, Kaduna Zonal Office of the Commission, Mailafia Yakubu, who spoke on behalf of Magu during the programme, admonished parents on close monitoring of their children and wards, on the use of the Internet, as the ongoing stay- at-home may expose them to fraudulent activities.

“Some children will be busy on the Internet, which might lead to more harm than good,” Magu noted.

He also warned fraudsters to desist from criminal activities or be prepared to face the long arm of the law while appreciating other sister anti-corruption agencies for their cooperation in the fight against corruption.