The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned the public about an increase in fraudulent messages and cyberattack attempts targeting personal bank accounts.

This was revealed in a press statement issued yesterday. The apex bank, through Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, its acting director of corporate communications, noted the scams involve emails, messages, and online content falsely claiming to originate from the CBN.

The bank affirmed that such communications are deceptive tactics intended to mislead the public, prompting recipients to click on malicious links and spreading false information about its leadership, licensing, and policy matters.

The statement reads, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wishes to alert members of the public to the circulation of fraudulent messages, emails, and online communications purporting to originate from or be associated with the Bank.”

It added that the messages are intended to deceive people and gain unauthorised access to personal and financial information.

The bank stressed that www.cbn.gov.ng is its legitimate website, urging the public to rely only on verified channels for information.

It urged Nigerians to avoid clicking on questionable links or sharing personal data on websites and to confirm the authenticity of any communication attributed to the CBN through its official website and reputable news sources.

The CBN also urged the public to alert law enforcement agencies if they encounter any suspicious messages, emails, or websites.

Reiterating its dedication to financial system safety, the CBN announced it is enhancing its cybersecurity structure in partnership with relevant agencies to protect Nigerians against online scams.