The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned that there are fraudsters sending out messages and videos in social media circles attempting to scam loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses.
According to a statement by the apex Bank, these fraudsters are requesting applications for loans or investment schemes purportedly facilitated by CBN, in some instances charging the unsuspecting individuals or businesses “fees on the pretext that their organisations are endorsed by the CBN” and that they would be guaranteed easy access to the CBN loans.
The CBN’s statement, therefore calls on all concerned to beware so as not to fall victim of the scammers, urging that are who want to benefit from any of the facilities being offered by the Bank should contact their banks or the CBN branch nearest to them.
They can also contact the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on 07002255226 or send an email to contactcbn@cbn.gov.ng for any further clarification.
Full text of the statement reads:
The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again been drawn to fraudulent messages and videos in social media circles requesting unsuspecting loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses to apply for loans or investment schemes purportedly facilitated by the Bank.
While the CBN, indeed, has several development finance intervention programmes from which different categories of businesses have benefitted (and are still benefitting), it DOES NOT do so through direct interaction with prospective applicants.
For the avoidance of doubt, there are clearly spelt out procedures for accessing CBN intervention funds, which are disbursed through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), such as Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs). The Bank also does not facilitate investment schemes.
Members of the public, particularly youth and owners of small-scale businesses, are therefore advised to disregard any video or text message proposing investment schemes or charging them fees on the pretext that their organisations are endorsed by the CBN and therefore would guarantee easy access to CBN loans. These videos and massages are fraudulent and anyone who enters into correspondence with those behind them does so at his or her own risk. The CBN has neither appointed nor accredited any organization to serve as agent on its behalf for the purpose of investment or applying for intervention loans.
Prospective applicants are therefore advised to approach their respective banks, NIRSAL Micro-Finance Bank or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch nearest to them for clarification on the procedure for accessing any of the CBN-related facility.
The Public is also advised to contact the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on 07002255226 or send an email to contactcbn@cbn.gov.ng for any further clarification.
