Estimated reading time: 9 minute(s)
Fasilat Oluwuyi
CLAIM:
A broadcast message has been circulating on whatsapp claiming the Federal Government in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is giving N500m grant to Nigerians.
The message indicated that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to receive N15,000 each and the payment would be sent to applicants’ bank account within 24hours.
FULL TEXT: A message claiming the Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the Central of Nigeria (CBN) is giving out a N500m grant to Nigerians.
The message was widely shared on WhatsApp groups claiming that every citizen in Nigeria is entitled to receive N15,000 each.
It asked Nigerians to click on a website link to check if they are eligible to receive the N15,000 support which the message said will be sent to their bank account within 24-hours of applying.
The message reads” Federal Government in collaboration with CBN is giving out ₦500m as Grant (15,000 Naira per individual).
“This grant is available to all Nigerians. Payment will be sent to your bank account within 24 hours after applying
“Hurry now and check if you are eligible to Receive ₦15,000 Naira Support fund From FG – CBN Grant. APPLY HERE
https://bit.ly/FG-CBN-N500m-Grant”.
VERIFICATION: Check by PlatformTimes on Ministry of Finance website and CBN website showed that there is no information or statement regarding the giving out N500m grant to Nigerians.
Findings also show that the link to the website claiming FG in collaboration with CBN is giving out grant to Nigerians is an unprofessional account.
After clicking on the link, the website displayed logo of CBN, a picture of President Muhammadu Buhari and a picture of Dollar currency but it has no link to any official website of the CBN or the FG.
The website requested banking details such as Name on Bank Account, Bank Name and Account Number. Other personal details asked were; phone number, state and emailed of would be beneficiaries to be entered on the website.
The website also asked that beneficiaries upon entering their details into the site to reshare the message to seven WhatsApp groups before they can get the grant; this portrays the information as a means to scam people.
Further check through the website also revealed beneficiaries were asked to click on continue application which directed them to a gossip blog, beehivegossips.com.ng.
A Cyber Security expert, Igbagboyemi Oladele said the website belongs to hackers whose motive is to get people’s information.
“Any website domain that ends with .xyz belongs to hackers, they simply use the site to get people’s information.
“People should be careful on how they visit these websites. Once you stay too long on the website, they can get your information with CCS. The website is purely dangerous!!!” He warned
CONCLUSION: PLATFORM TIMES in verifying the claim has confirmed that the broadcast message and the website is a scam and should therefore not be trusted.
