The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has issued a nationwide alert regarding the alarming rise in Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams affecting individuals and organisations across Nigeria.
BEC scams involve cybercriminals masquerading as trusted entities, including government agencies and businesses, to deceive recipients into disclosing sensitive information or transferring funds, according to the Federal IT agency which warned that, “These fraudulent schemes pose significant financial risks and can lead to identity theft and operational disruptions.”
NITDA is individuals and organisations to heighten their awareness and adopt these preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with BEC scams.
In response to this growing threat, NITDA issued following precautions:
Verify Email Authenticity: Always verify the legitimacy of emails, especially those requesting sensitive information or financial transactions, by directly contacting the purported sender through verified communication channels.
Exercise Caution: Exercise caution with emails from unfamiliar senders. Refrain from clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments without verifying their authenticity.
Secure Communication Channels: Establish and utilise secure communication channels, such as known email addresses and verified phone numbers, to validate requests and exchange sensitive information securely.
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