The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians about an increase in fraudulent messages, fake emails, and cyberattack attempts targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

The warning was contained in a statement issued late Tuesday night by the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.

According to the apex bank, it has observed the circulation of misleading communications falsely claiming to come from or be associated with the bank.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria 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, which are intended to misinform members of the public,” the statement said.

The bank explained that the fake messages are often designed to deceive recipients into revealing personal information, clicking harmful links, or believing false claims about the bank’s leadership, licensing, and policies.

“These fraudulent messages, which prompt recipients to click links, peddle false information about the Bank’s leadership, licensing, and policy issues, and are intended to hack personal accounts,” it stated.

CBN noted that cyber threats are becoming more advanced, with fraudsters using digital platforms to spread misinformation and gain unauthorised access to sensitive financial information.

The bank advised Nigerians to rely only on official and trusted sources for information concerning its activities.

It stated that its official website remains www.cbn.gov.ng.

The apex bank urged members of the public to avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal and financial details on unverified websites, warning that such actions could lead to identity theft and financial loss.

It also advised individuals to confirm the authenticity of any message linked to the bank through its official website or recognised media channels before taking action.

CBN further encouraged Nigerians to report suspected fraudulent activity to relevant law enforcement agencies.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the financial system, the bank said it is strengthening its cybersecurity systems in collaboration with other agencies.

“The CBN remains fully committed to safeguarding the Nigerian financial system and continues to strengthen its cybersecurity frameworks in collaboration with relevant agencies to protect the public against digital fraud,” the statement added.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over rising cybercrime in Nigeria’s financial sector, as criminals increasingly exploit digital channels to target individuals and institutions.