CBN warns as fraudsters create fake e-Naira on Twitter

By Kayode Tokede

Barely two days after launching its digital currency, the e-Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has alerted the public of a fake e-Naira twitter handle.

Director, Corporate Communication, CBN, Osita Nwanisobi in a statement on Wednesday said, “Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, October 25, 2021, the attention of the CCBN has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the Bank.

“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 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.

“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. In effect, the Bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens.

“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 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. For clarity, the urrent official social media handles of the eNaira 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 [email protected] or to relevant law enforcement agencies.”