Group Begins Awareness Campaign against Online Fraudsters

Emma Okonji

Worried about the increasing number of people that fall victims to online fraudsters, the Committee of Chief Information Security Officers of Nigerian Financial Institutions (CCISONFI), in collaboration with Cybersafe Foundation, Bankers Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and The Hook, has commenced an awareness campaign to sensitise Nigerians about the activities of online fraudsters.

The campaign, tagged: ‘NoGoFallMaga Confam Am Again’ was launched in Lagos last week by the group, and it is expected to come in the form of radio jingles, television commercials and newspaper advertorials, among others.

Chairman of CCISONFI, Mr. Festus Amede, who spoke during the launch, said, as a registered independent non-government organisation, CCISONFI would continue to support CBN in providing guidance and advisory services that are related to cyber, data and information security across the Nigerian financial and payment ecosystem.

According to him, “The campaign will tackle cybercrime activities in Nigeria that pose huge threat to bank customers and Nigerians in general. The use of digital platforms in the financial ecosystem has given rise to new risk, leading to loss of trust and confidence in the CBN financial inclusion drive and cashless policy.”     

Chairman, Cybersafe Foundation, Dr. Peter Obadare, said a lot had been invested into the campaign, designed to increase the cybersecurity intelligent quotient of Nigerians. He advised customers to key into the campaign strategies in order to avoid being victims to cyber criminals. The campaign is designed to use creative videos to sensitise those on the streets, traders, market women and students, including those in offices, on how to transact safe online without divulging sensitive bank information.   

Group Chief Information Security Officer at Access Bank, Mrs. Favour Femi-Oyewole, said many Nigerians still fall victims to online fraudsters on a daily basis, when they voluntarily give out sensitive information like PIN number and BVN number to unknown people who pose as bank officials when they are actually not.