The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a warning to Nigerians about the growing activities of fraudsters who are posing as representatives of the bank in relation to alleged contract awards and financial interventions. The fraudsters have been targeting unsuspecting members of the public by claiming to possess award letters for construction works and other special projects funded by the CBN.
In an official statement released by the CBN, Mrs. Hakama Ali, the Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, explained that these individuals falsely claim to be acting on behalf of the CBN in managing certain development contracts and financial assistance programs. She emphasized that these claims are completely untrue and are driven solely by the intent to defraud Nigerians.
“Any such assertions are fraudulent and should be disregarded,” Mrs. Ali stated, urging the public not to fall victim to the scam. According to her, these fraudsters are exploiting the trust that people place in the Central Bank, using the CBN’s name to convince potential victims that they are involved in legitimate government projects or special financial interventions.
The CBN further clarified that, contrary to the claims made by these fraudsters, the bank has completely discontinued its direct involvement in development interventions and special projects funding. This decision, according to Mrs. Ali, is part of the bank’s current management strategy and should be understood by the public as a clear signal that no such initiatives are being conducted at present.
She also pointed out that the CBN has not authorized any public notices regarding financial interventions on social media platforms, news outlets, or any other medium. Any communications claiming otherwise are fraudulent and should be ignored. “The CBN remains committed to its core mandate of ensuring monetary and price stability, and a sound and efficient financial system in Nigeria,” Mrs. Ali affirmed in her statement.
The warning comes at a time when online and offline scams are becoming increasingly prevalent, with fraudsters using sophisticated methods to deceive Nigerians. The CBN’s announcement aims to safeguard the public from falling prey to these deceptive practices, which often involve demands for upfront payments or personal information from victims.
In light of the ongoing fraudulent activities, the CBN has encouraged Nigerians to remain vigilant and cautious when approached with offers related to financial interventions or government projects. The bank stressed the importance of verifying any claims before engaging in any transactions, as a precaution against fraud.
“Therefore, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities or publications to the relevant law enforcement agencies,” Mrs. Ali concluded. The CBN’s statement calls for increased awareness and vigilance among the Nigerian public, urging them to report any potential scams to authorities in order to curb the rise of fraudulent schemes in the country.
