CBN cautions consumers against fraudsters, fake e-Naira social media account

*The Central Bank of Nigeria warns that certain impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting consumers through the Web links attached to their messages for application to obtain e-Naira wallets and become beneficiaries of nonexistent 50billion digital currency

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the formal launch of the West African country’s e-Naira digital currency Monday, October 25, 2021, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that its attention was drawn to criminal and illegal activities of certain individuals and a fraudulent twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc, purported to belong to the Bankers’ Bank.

Presdient Muhammadu Buhari formally activated the e-Naira, as Nigeria’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Monday, October 25, 2021, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT. The e-Naira digital currency is regarded as a key component of the digital economy cum digital transformation agenda of the Federal Government towards enhancing financial inclusion in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, in a statement issued Wednesday, October 27, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, however, said that the impostor handle and fraudulent persons had been posting messages related to the e-Naira.

According to Bank, this is with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerian consumers with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria, among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50billion e-Naira currency.

“These impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting members of the public through the links attached to their messages for application to obtain e-Naira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion e-Naira currency.

CBN e-Naira App

“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,” Nwanisobi stated.

The statement further noted that the apex bank is NOT disbursing e-Naira currency to citizens.

It also said: “To this end, members of the public are hereby warned to be wary of fraudsters who have resolved to take advantage of unsuspecting Nigerians.

“Members of the public should always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the e-Naira either by visiting the e-Naira Web site: www.enaira.gov.ng, or calling the e-Naira contact centre on 080069362472, or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them.”

The CBN Director of Corporate Communications added: “For clarity, the current official social media handles of the e-Naira 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.”

Recall the CBN earlier had stated that launch of the country’s digital currency, the e-Naira, designed by its technical partner Bitt Incorporated, with the theme, “Same Naira, More Possibilities”, would be part of Bank’s efforts at advancing the boundaries of payments system to make financial transactions easier and seamless for Nigerian consumers.

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