COVID-19: EFCC cautions Nigerians against fake donations, cure claims, vows to arrest perpetrators

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned Nigerians to be wary of fake charities springing up purporting to offer guidelines on donations to government as well  unsupported claims of cures and treatments of the coronavirus (Covid-19). 

The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, in a press statement by the commission’s acting Head, Media and Public Relations, Mr Tony Orilade, Wednesday in Abuja,  also cautioned against the use of mobile applications from untrusted sources and fake multi-level marketing schemes with mouth- watering returns online.   

The EFCC boss said, “The federal government has rolled out account details of accredited banks through which donations can be made.  Please note that any other guideline for donations is fraudulent and should be ignored.

“Besides, members of the public should be cautious of online investment involving various money-doubling schemes.  We are tracking all those fraudulent operators and we wish to assure Nigerians that we will bring them and their sponsors to book”. 

The EFCC boss also advised against illegal “Robo Calls, noting that such calls were meant to scam and steal the banking details of their victims.

“Don’t press any number required by any illegal Robo Call.  The recording machine might require you to press a number for you to speak with an operator.  This is fraudulent.  Don’t press such a number”, he warned. 

Magu further urged Nigerians to exercise extreme cautions over the following measures: “Don’t click on links from any source that you don’t know. Doing so could download Malware onto your computer or device. 

“Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations done in cash or by wiring money into other personal account,  don’t do it. 

“Be alert and vigilant about online promotions and investment opportunities, especially on social media.”

He assured that the EFCC was abreast with every economic and financial crime trick fraudsters were developing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that the commission would burst any scheme designed to defraud Nigerians of their hard- earned money.

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