CBN alerts of fraudsters, fake eNaira social media handles

Barely three days after the launch of the eNaira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has uncovered the activities of some fraudsters using fake twitter handle to swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

To this end, the CBN has alerted the public about the criminal and illegal activities of some individuals, who have floated a fake eNaira social media handles in the name of the apex bank.

In a statement on Wednesday, a copy of which was given to Persecondnews, the CBN said:“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 relating to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the CBN, among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 billion eNaira currency.

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“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,’’ said the statement signed by Mr Osita Nwanisobi, the Director, Corporate Communications.

It urged members of the public to always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: http://www.enaira.gov.ng/ or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them.

“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. Please be guided accordingly.’’