By John Ikani
Barely two days after launching its digital currency, the e-Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has alerted the public of fake e-Naira social media handles.
President Muhammadu Buhari launched the country’s digital currency on Monday.
In a circular titled “Beware of Fraudsters, Fake eNaira Social Media Handles” signed by Osita Nwanisobi Director, Corporate Communications, the apex bank said impostors are already defrauding people.
The CBN stated that “The impostor handle and fraudulent persons have been posting messages related to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 Billion eNaira 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 eNaira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion eNaira currency.”
The CBN added that it had suspended its presence on Twitter following the Federal Government’s ban and so is not the owner of the Twitter handle (@enaira_cbdc). The CBN also said that it is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens.
It therefore warned members of the public to be wary of fraudsters who have resolved to take advantage of unsuspecting Nigerians.
The apex bank said that members of the public should always endeavour to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: www.enaira.gov.ng or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN branch nearest to them.
Official social media handles of the eNaira are:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/myenaira;
Instagram: www.instagram.com/myenaira and
Youtube: www.youtube.com/myenaira
