The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned that Nigerians are selling their National Identification Number (NIN) and personal data for as low as ₦1,500, with serious implications for national security and personal safety.
This follows a disclosure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that “this fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians offering a paltry payment of between N1500 and N2000 to their victims to make them surrender a copy of their personal information details to them and sell the same information to some Fintech Institutions for about N5000.”
Reacting to the development, NIMC, in a statement signed by Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC, on Sunday, stated: “The NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement.”
It further said: “Nigerians have been informed repeatedly in the past by the NIMC not to disclose their NIN to any unauthorised individual or organisation. Equally of note is that any NIN presented to access services must be duly verified before granting such services. Nigerians and service providers should note.”
The Commission also urged Nigerians to take advantage of its official application, stating: “The general public is by this notice enjoined to download the NINAuth App on either Apple iOS or the Google Play Store to enjoy seamless benefits, including but not limited to protection and security of the NIN, the power to control personal information on the NIN, and so many more!”
Earlier, the EFCC had raised an alarm over a rising trend of cyber fraud involving fake ticket promotions by foreign airlines.
According to the agency, “the scheme involves the use of malware to gain unauthorised access to the account information of unsuspecting victims”.
It said, “Teasers like ‘Promo’, ‘Investment Windows’ and other baits are usually employed to make their victims volunteer their account information through which fraudsters execute transactions on their behalf by sending their funds to accounts mainly in Fintech Institutions.”
EFCC cited a specific case where “a ‘Promo’ offering the public 50% discount of ticket purchase in a leading foreign airline” was used to deceive people into making payments and downloading malicious apps.
“The N500 payment which is now dressed as Charity payment is the leeway through which the fraudsters gain access to their victim’s personal information. The victims were deceived into downloading the App of the airline to be eligible for the discount.
“However, after downloading the App and gaining unauthorised access to their personal details, funds were moved from the victim’s bank account into an account in a Microfinance Bank.”
The Commission described the fraud actors as “Account Suppliers” or “KYC Group”, and revealed: “Information available to the Commission revealed that the actors are up to 12000 all over the country seeking account donors that will surrender their NIN registration slip, BVN, passport photograph and other means of identification for a little fee.
“This information is then used to open accounts with Fintech companies for investment scam and sundry fraudulent schemes.”
EFCC concluded by cautioning the public: “Members of the public are enjoined to be wary of these actors and on no account should any Nigerian agree to be an Account Donor for any purpose as this is a threat to national security.”
“The EFCC is committed to safeguarding the financial space of the nation in the overall interests of all Nigerians,” it added.
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