Date: 2017-03-04

The Kwara state police command has alerted members of the public on a new scam method whereby internet fraudsters ask for personal bank details of their potential victims.

A statement by the command's police public relations officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, which was made available to journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the piece of information was made to members of the public so as to guide them against falling victim.

The statement reads:

Intelligence available to the command indicated that internet fraudsters have developed a new software application which they currently use to defraud gullible Nigerians.

"This is an advanced rip-off as their earlier trick of sending text messages to people claiming that their ATM card or BVN has been deactivated, as is no longer yielding positive result, as the public are now aware of their scam, hence they upgraded.

"In this new trick, an e-mail will be sent to people's phones as if it emanated from their Bank's e-mail services, informing that a sum of N7,000:00 or more has been debited from their account as subscription fee for bank's monthly digest magazine, and that the charges will continue every month.

"The fraudsters will then provide a 'scam link' that one should click on if he wishes to stop or unsubscribe. Once the link is clicked a page will open where the bank details and ATM information of the victim will be demanded. As soon as the requested information is provided, that is all they need to enable them access into the victim's personal account and the fraud perpetrated."

"The command is therefore using this medium to alert members of the public on this new scam method so as to guide against falling victim."

"The safety of lives and property of residents of Kwara state is paramount to the command, hence, people are advised to be more vigilant."