The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammad Adamu, on Sunday urged
members of the public to take precautionary actions against fraud and
cybercrime associated with the emergency situation created by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Adamu also affirmed that intelligence obtained from the INTERPOL
headquarters showed 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.
In some cases, IGP added, “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”.
Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
He said, “The IGP, therefore, enjoins the public 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. Oftentimes 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.
Part of the statement reads, “Against the foregoing, 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”.
