COVID-19: Police Alerts Nigerians On New Crime Trends Devised By Internet Fraudsters

As the dreaded coronavirus COVID-19 continues to spread, with fear and panic on the rise, fraudsters have reportedly devised new methods on how to defraud unsuspecting persons, the office of the Inspector General of Police warns Nigerians to be on alert.

In a statement released, the police spokesperson, Frank Mba, said intelligence at the disposal of the Force indicates that fraud and cybercrime are expected to rise at this time owing to the lockdown emplaced by Government at all levels to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mba said intelligence obtained from the INTERPOL Headquarters shows that scammers in Nigeria and other parts of the globe have begun to create and set up fraudulent websites, e-commerce platforms, fake social media accounts and emails claiming to sell and deliver (COVID-19) medical products. He noted that in some cases, the fraudsters use the names of prominent companies involved in the production and distribution of these items. Victims are then asked to pay via bank transfer.

According to Mbah, the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu, has enjoined all Nigerians to strictly adhere to the following security tips:

i. Avoid opening suspicious emails and clicking on links in unrecognized emails and attachments;

ii. Ensure proper back-up of online and offline files regularly and securely;

iii. Use strong passwords for securing your emails and social media handles;

iv. Keep your software updated, including antivirus software;

v. Manage your social media settings and review your privacy and security settings;

vi. You are advised to be wary of scammers who use names of prominent companies to create fraudulent websites, e-commerce platforms, social media accounts and emails claiming to sell and deliver medical products;

vii. You are advised to ignore and report calls purportedly emanating from a caller who pretends to be a relative currently being treated at the hospital asking you to pay for the cost of the medical treatment by transferring money or by paying cash to fake public health representatives;

viii. Do not open letters or emails related to the pandemic from unknown persons who claim to be health authorities. Often times criminals access sensitive information, steal personal information and steal funds of victims by tricking them into connecting to a specific webpage and logging-in with their credentials;

ix. Be mindful of fake news, deliberate misinformation/disinformation and avoid circulating untrusted and unverified messages on your social media handles;

x. Educate your family, especially your children, about how to stay safe online and offline;

xi. If you become a victim, ensure prompt report to the police.

The statement added that the IGP has placed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja – Nigeria on red alert.

“The NCB which houses the cybercrime unit of the Force shall in the coming days and beyond work closely with other Interpol member states across the globe particularly to carry out intense monitoring of the internet highway in the most legitimate and ethical manner. This is to engender concerted efforts in cracking down on any individual or all forms of organized criminal gangs that may want to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to perpetrate crimes.

The Force also enjoins commercial bank operators to strengthen their online banking security systems and report promptly any suspected case of fraud and other cybercrime-related activities in their banks.

While reaffirming the determination of the Nigeria Police Force in providing support services to relevant agencies saddled with the task of curtailing and containing the COVID-19 pandemic, the IGP assures the public that the Force is unrelenting in clamping down on criminals who may want to take advantage of the situation to perpetrate criminal acts” the statement read.