The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding a new threat posed by electronic fraudsters who target telecommunications networks to disrupt service delivery and carry out illicit activities.

Prof. Umar Garba, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, raised the alarm during a Consumer Protection and Advocacy Programme held in Kofar Goriya, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Garba expressed deep concern over the increasing incidence of electronic fraud in the country and cautioned citizens against falling victim to the activities of fraudsters.
The event, held under the theme “Shine your eye, don’t fall mugu,” emphasized the need for vigilance and caution in dealing with online transactions.

Garba urged individuals to refrain from opening suspicious email messages or responding to unfamiliar online inquiries. He highlighted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has identified e-fraud as the biggest risk in the telecom sector at present.

To combat this menace, the NCC, in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the CBN, has intensified its efforts to fight electronic fraud.

The NCC head revealed that electronic fraudsters employ various tactics, including infiltrating people’s data banks through SIM swaps and exploiting Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) to carry out nefarious activities. He explained that telecom networks are now being targeted by fraudsters with the aim of disrupting service delivery.

Garba emphasized the need for consumer advocacy and ongoing enlightenment campaigns to combat e-fraud and ensure the security and integrity of the telecom industry in relation to the nation’s financial system. He warned that victims of SIM swaps and USSD e-payment frauds often suffer significant losses, as fraudsters steal their identities and gain access to their bank accounts.

In light of these threats, the NCC urged consumers to exercise caution and report any suspicious e-fraud incidents to their banks and telecom service providers.