Be vigilant! IGP says criminals are taking advantage of COVID-19 to increase attacks, shares security tips
The Nigeria Police Force has alerted Nigerians to be vigilant as criminals are already taking advantage of the present global crisis to increase their activities.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu in a statement on the Force’s Twitter handle said intelligence at the disposal of the Force suggests that fraud and cybercrime are expected to rise during this period.
Recall that Neusroom also reported that cybersecurity risk is on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has confined many workers to work remotely from home.
“At this time owing to the lockdown emplaced by Government at all levels to contain the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Specifically, intelligence obtained from the @INTERPOL_HQ shows that scammers in Nigeria and other parts of the globe have begun to create and set up fraudulent websites, e-commerce platforms, fake social media accounts and emails claiming to sell and deliver (covid-19) medical products. In some cases, they use the names of prominent companies involved in the production and distribution of these items,” the IGP said.
Adamu added that the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja which houses the cybercrime unit of the Force will be working closely with other Interpol member states across the globe to carry out intense monitoring of the internet highway in the most legitimate and ethical manner in order to crack down on any individual or all forms of organized criminal gangs that may want to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to perpetrate crimes.
The IGP shared the following security tips to avoid falling victim:
1. Avoid opening suspicious emails and clicking on links in unrecognized emails and attachments.
2. Ensure proper back-up of online and offline files regularly and securely;
3. Use strong passwords for securing your emails and social media handles;
4. Keep your software updated, including antivirus software;
5. Manage your social media settings and review your privacy and security settings;
6. Be wary of scammers who use names of prominent companies to create fraudulent websites, e-commerce platforms, social media accounts and emails claiming to sell and deliver medical products;
7. Ignore and report calls purportedly emanating from a caller who pretends to be a relative currently being treated at hospital asking you to pay for the cost of the medical treatment by transferring money or by paying cash to fake public health representatives.
8. Do not open letters or emails related to the pandemic from unknown persons who claim to be health authorities.
9. Be mindful of fake news, deliberate misinformation/disinformation and avoid circulating untrusted and unverified messages on your social media handles;
10. If you become a victim, ensure prompt report to the police.
