Nigerians alerted on fraudsters’ new techniques

Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has alerted Nigerians of the
increasing incidents of fraud across social media platforms.

This is in line with the NCC functions and objectives under the
Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to promote and protect the
interests of telecom consumers.

The NCC, in a statement signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director,
Public Affairs, advised telecom consumers to be alert and wary of the
wiles of fraudsters in order not to fall victim to their antics.

The NCC said that the latest scam sometimes take the form of
fraudulent phone calls, known as vishing.

It explained that with this method, the the intention of the fraudster
is to gain access to the targeted cunsumer’s personal social media
account or other identity resources to perpetrate fraud.

“Vishing is a form of Phishing which is punishable under Section 32 of
the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act of 2015,” NCC
explained.

The Commission said that these forms of fraud which have become
increasingly popular, typically begins with a phone call from
fraudsters requesting the call receiver to perform a certain task for
the caller.

It said by doing this, the call enables the caller (the fraudster) to
swiftly takeover the social media account of an individual or group.

NCC says it becomes important to post the recording online to educate
the Nigerians about how these rampaging fraudsters play tricks on
people to defraud them.

“Kindly visit the Commission’s Twitter Handles (@ngcomcommission or
@consumersncc) to listen to the tape and other updates in this
regard,” the commission advised.

NCC, however, assures telecom consumers that all the numbers used to
carry out these fraudulent activities are under investigation and that
thereafter, “appropriate actions will be taken in that regard as
prescribed by relevant laws.”

NCC warned that telecom consumers must not give out any information
about their accounts to unknown persons who pose as representatives of
known organizations.
“In order to ensure that telecom networks are not used to perpetrate
crimes, the Commission appeals to all telecom consumers to forward
complaints on suspected fraudulent calls to the Commission through our
email at consumerportal@ncc.gov.ng.” the Commission said.