BREAKING: EFCC Alerts Nigerians Over Fake Airline Ticket Promo Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised alarm over a new wave of fraudulent schemes involving fake foreign airline ticket promos …

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised alarm over a new wave of fraudulent schemes involving fake foreign airline ticket promos used to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement released by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC cautioned the public to be vigilant against offers disguised as “Promo” or “Investment Windows” from fake foreign airline portals.

“The EFCC views with great concern a rising fraudulent scheme newly perfected by fraudsters to defraud Nigerians of their hard-earned money and considers it imperative to alert Nigerians to be wary of ubiquitous foreign airlines’ ticketing discount promos,” the statement read.

According to the commission, the scam involves the use of malware to gain unauthorized access to victims’ banking details. Victims are lured with a fake 50% discount on airline tickets, where they are asked to pay a small amount, often as little as N500, which is disguised as a charity donation.

“Victims are led to pay a token of N500 into the account of the airline. The N500 payment which is now dressed as Charity payment is the leeway through which the fraudsters gain access to their victim’s personal information,” the statement explained.

Additionally, victims are often directed to download a fake airline app, which further exposes their personal data. Once access is granted, funds are siphoned from their bank accounts and laundered through fintech platforms and cryptocurrency purchases.

The EFCC also revealed a concerning trend involving young Nigerians dubbed “Account Suppliers” or “KYC Group”, who offer individuals between N1500 and N2000 to surrender sensitive personal documents like NIN slips, BVNs, and passport photographs.

“It is important to disclose that this fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians offering a paltry payment of between N1500 and N2000 to their victims to make them surrender a copy of their personal information details to them and sell the same information to some Fintech Institutions for about N5000.”

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These details are then used to open bank accounts and fintech wallets to carry out further fraud, including investment scams. EFCC noted that there are an estimated 12,000 of such canvassers operating across Nigeria.

Although the commission confirmed it has arrested some suspects, it refrained from giving specific details.

“The commission has made some arrests in this regard and recoveries of money lost to fraudulent Promo actors and Account Suppliers are ongoing.”

The EFCC urged Nigerians to avoid being “Account Donors” under any circumstance, stressing that such actions pose a serious threat to national security.

“The EFCC is committed to safeguarding the financial space of the nation in the overall interests of all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.