The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a fresh public advisory urging Nigerians to exercise caution against a growing cyber fraud scheme in which criminals pose as telecommunications representatives offering to upgrade subscribers’ SIM cards from 4G to 5G.
According to the Commission’s Cybercrime Department, fraudsters are placing unsolicited calls to unsuspecting mobile phone users, falsely claiming that a SIM upgrade is required to access 5G services. During the interaction, victims receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on their mobile devices and are deceived into revealing the code to the callers.
The EFCC warned that once an OTP is disclosed, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to victims’ bank accounts and other sensitive digital platforms, leading to financial losses and identity theft.
The Commission emphasized that no legitimate telecommunications company, bank, or government agency will request an OTP from customers over the phone or through unsolicited messages. Nigerians are therefore advised to treat such requests as fraudulent and immediately end the conversation.
As cybercriminals continue to devise new methods of targeting unsuspecting members of the public, the EFCC urged citizens to remain vigilant by safeguarding personal information, verifying suspicious requests through official customer service channels, and reporting fraudulent activities to the appropriate authorities.
The Commission also encouraged Nigerians to share the advisory widely with family members, friends, colleagues, and community groups to help raise awareness and reduce the risk of more people falling victim to the scam.
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to combating cybercrime through intelligence gathering, public enlightenment, and the prosecution of offenders, while urging everyone to play an active role in protecting themselves and others from digital fraud.
Safety Tips from the EFCC:
- Never disclose your OTP to anyone.
- Be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to offer SIM upgrades or banking assistance.
- Verify any request through the official customer care channels of your telecom provider or bank.
- Report suspicious calls and cyber fraud attempts to the EFCC and other relevant authorities.