The Yobe State Police Command has cautioned residents to beware of fraudulent virtual meetings designed to steal their bank details, News About Nigeria reports.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Damaturu, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, revealed that a criminal syndicate is behind these online schemes, designed to trick unsuspecting people.
According to Abdulkarim, the hackers create fake virtual meetings and send malicious links to their victims.
“Once you click on the link, your bank account and other sensitive information can be compromised,” he said.
The statement explained that the syndicate often poses as officials from commercial banks, claiming they need to upgrade or verify customers’ accounts.
Abdulkarim explained that these fraudsters typically send a one-time password (OTP) to the victim’s phone or social media account, asking for the code to “register” or “verify” the account.
“By sending back the OTP, the victims unknowingly grant the scammers access to their bank accounts, allowing them to withdraw funds within minutes,” he warned.
The police urged the public to be cautious, advising residents to verify such requests by contacting their banks directly through official phone lines or in person.
“Never share OTP codes or sensitive banking information with unverified sources. Stay alert to avoid falling victim to these cybercriminals,” Abdulkarim added.
He also recommended regular monitoring of bank accounts and reporting any suspicious activity immediately.
In a separate development, the Nigerian Police recently arrested six suspects involved in various electoral offences during the governorship election in Edo State.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, announced during a press briefing in Benin that the arrests came after the recovery of weapons, live ammunition, stolen voter cards, BVAS machines, and cash.
“We have arrested six individuals so far, and we expect this number to rise as investigations continue,” Mba revealed.
