The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters who have been posting fraudulent messages relating to the eNaira launched recently.

“In effect, the bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens,’’ said Osita Nwanisobi, Director, Corporate Communications, said in a statement posted on the bank’s website on Wednesday.

“Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, October 25, the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent Twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the bank,” said the CBN statement. “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, among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 billion eNaira currency.”

The apex bank pointed out that “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.”

It, however, warned the public that the CBN is not the owner of that Twitter handle (@enaira_cbdc) and “indeed suspended its presence on Twitter following the federal government’s ban. 

He urged Nigerians to seek clarification on 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.

He also advised anyone seeking clarity to visit the eNaira current official social media handles: www.facebook.com/myenaira; www.instagram.com/myenaira and www.youtube.com/myenaira and the public to report suspicious activities to the CBN using helpdesk@enaira.gov.ng or to relevant law enforcement agencies. 

(NAN)