The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians over the alarming rise in cases of personal data fraud involving the illegal sale of National Identification Numbers (NINs).
This warning comes after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that over 2,000 Nigerians have fallen victim to a new scam. Fraudsters are reportedly offering unsuspecting citizens between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 in exchange for their data, which is later resold to fintech companies for as much as ₦5,000.
According to a statement by NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, this disturbing trend is a “serious security concern” and poses “grave consequences for NIN holders.”
“This fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians who entice victims with a paltry payment to surrender their identity details, which are then sold to some fintech institutions,” the NIMC noted, quoting the EFCC.
The commission emphasized that sharing your NIN or any personal information with unauthorized individuals or organizations puts you at risk of: Identity theft, Financial fraud, Criminal impersonation.
Dr. Adegoke stressed that NIMC will not be held responsible for any damages or consequences suffered by citizens who negligently share their sensitive data.