Yemisi Izuora
The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, has observed that fraud and cybercrime are expected to rise at this time owing to the lockdown placed by Government at all levels to contain the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
According to its national coordinator, Ikule Emmanuel, “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.
In some cases, they use the names of prominent companies involved in the production and distribution of these items. Victims are then asked to pay via bank transfer.”
Emmanuel, therefore enjoined the public to avoid opening suspicious emails and clicking on links in unrecognized emails and attachments, ensure proper back-up of online and offline files regularly and securely, use strong passwords for securing your emails and social media handles and keep their software updated, including antivirus software;
NOPRIN also advised the public to manage their social media settings and review their privacy and security settings and 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.
“You are advised to ignore and report calls purportedly emanating from a caller who pretends to be a relative currently being treated at hospital asking you to pay for the cost of the medical treatment by transferring money or by paying cash to fake public health representatives;
“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;
“Be mindful of fake news, deliberate misinformation and avoid circulating untrusted and unverified messages on your social media handles” it said in a statement.