The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised an alarm over fraudulent activities by individuals pretending to have been awarded construction contracts or special financial intervention mandates on behalf of the Bank.
In a statement issued by the Bank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, the CBN clarified that such claims are entirely baseless and part of a scam designed to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
“These fraudsters are using fake award letters and false promises of lucrative projects to mislead Nigerians, but their real objective is to exploit and deceive,” she explained.
The Bank emphasized that it has not issued any construction contracts or special funding initiatives to third parties.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to make it clear that it has not issued any contract awards for construction works or special financial interventions to any third parties.
“These claims are completely unfounded, and the public is advised to disregard any such announcements as they are fraudulent,” the statement read.
Mrs. Ali also disclosed that under its current management, the CBN has suspended all direct involvement in development interventions or special project funding, including infrastructure financing. This decision aligns with the Bank’s strategic priorities and renders any such claims by fraudsters entirely false.
The Bank further noted that it has not authorized any announcements regarding funding or contract opportunities through social media or other media platforms.
Reaffirming its commitment to its core mandate, the CBN stated that its primary focus remains on maintaining monetary and price stability while fostering an efficient and secure financial system in Nigeria.
To safeguard the public, the CBN urged Nigerians to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities immediately. Swift action, the Bank highlighted, is essential to combating fraud and protecting the country’s financial ecosystem.
“We encourage all Nigerians to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity that could compromise the integrity of the financial system,” the statement added.