The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M. A. Adamu has
enjoined members of the public to remain vigilant and take precautionary
actions against criminal elements who might explore the emergency situation
created by the Covid-19 pandemic to increase and diversify their criminal
activities.
The IGP’s advice was informed by intelligence at the
disposal of the Force, which suggests that fraud and cybercrime are expected to
rise at this time owing to the lock-down emplaced by Government at all levels
to contain the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
According to police, specifically, intelligence obtained
from the INTERPOL Headquarters shows that scammers in Nigeria and other parts
of the globe have begun to create and set up fraudulent websites, e-commerce
platforms, fake social media accounts and emails claiming to sell and deliver
(covid-19) medical products.
In some cases, they use the names of prominent companies
involved in the production and distribution of these items. Victims are then
asked to pay via bank transfer.
The IGP, therefore, enjoins the public to strictly adhere to
the following security tips:
i. Avoid opening
suspicious emails and clicking on links in unrecognized emails and attachments;
ii. Ensure proper
back-up of online and offline files regularly and securely;
iii. Use strong
passwords for securing your emails and social media handles;
iv. Keep your
software updated, including antivirus software;
v. Manage your
social media settings and review your privacy and security settings;
vi. You are
advised to be wary of scammers who use names of prominent companies to create
fraudulent websites, e-commerce platforms, social media accounts and emails
claiming to sell and deliver medical products;
vii. You are
advised to ignore and report calls purportedly emanating from a caller who
pretends to be a relative currently being treated at hospital asking you to pay
for the cost of the medical treatment by transferring money or by paying cash
to fake public health representatives;
viii. Do not open
letters or emails related to the pandemic from unknown persons who claim to be
health authorities. Often times criminals access sensitive information,steal
personal information and steal funds of victims by tricking them into
connecting to a specific webpage and logging-in with their credentials;
ix. Be mindful of
fake news, deliberate misinformation/disinformation and avoid circulating
untrusted and unverified messages on your social media handles;
x. Educate your
family, especially your children, about how to stay safe online and offline;
xi. If you become
a victim, ensure prompt report to the police.
Against the foregoing, the IGP has placed the Commissioner
of Police in charge of the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja –
Nigeria on red alert. The NCB which houses the cybercrime unit of the Force
shall in the coming days and beyond work closely with other Interpol member
states across the globe particularly to carry out intense monitoring of the
internet highway in the most legitimate and ethical manner. This is to engender
concerted efforts in cracking down on any individual or all forms of organized
criminal gangs that may want to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to
perpetrate crimes.
The Force also enjoins commercial bank operators to
strengthen their online banking security systems and report promptly any
suspected case of fraud and other cybercrime related activities in their banks.
While reaffirming the determination of the Nigeria Police
Force in providing support services to relevant agencies saddled with the task
of curtailing and containing the COVID-19 pandemic, the IGP assures the public
that the Force is unrelenting in clamping down on criminals who may want to
take advantage of the situation to perpetrate criminal acts.
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