National News – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a nationwide warning to Nigerians over a surge in fake emails, fraudulent messages, and online scams targeting bank customers and digital users across the country, raising fresh concerns about cybercrime vulnerability in the financial system.
The alert was contained in a statement released Tuesday night, April 22, 2026, by the apex bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, noting that scammers are impersonating the CBN to deceive victims through phishing links, malicious attachments, and false claims about banking policies and leadership decisions.
The bank explained that cybercriminals are increasingly using sophisticated tactics, including cloned email addresses and social media impersonation, to trick unsuspecting individuals into revealing sensitive financial details such as bank verification numbers, passwords, and account access codes.
The CBN urged members of the public to rely strictly on its official communication channel and verified website for accurate information, warning that any unsolicited request for personal data should be treated as suspicious and ignored.
Cybersecurity analysts in Lagos say the warning reflects a growing digital threat landscape in Nigeria, where increased online banking adoption has been matched by rising phishing attempts, identity theft, and financial fraud cases, particularly affecting young internet users and small business owners.
The development also highlights the urgent need for stronger digital literacy campaigns, improved telecom monitoring, and closer collaboration between financial regulators and security agencies to curb the expanding fraud ecosystem, which continues to undermine public confidence in online transactions.
The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure and encouraged Nigerians to report suspicious messages to relevant authorities, emphasizing collective responsibility in protecting the country’s financial system from digital exploitation.
Public reaction across social media in Nigeria has been mixed, with some users calling for stricter enforcement of cybercrime laws, while others stressed the need for banks to improve customer education and real-time fraud alerts as digital transactions continue to grow rapidly across the country.
Experts in cybersecurity say vigilance remains critical nationwide.
