E-Financial
CBN and NIBSS Raise over Rising Internet Fraud
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) have expressed worry over the growing menace of Internet fraud in the financial services sector.
They wondered why people who use mobile lines and bank accounts to defraud others could not be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted despite the mandatory NIN-SIM linkage introduced by the Federal Government.
They therefore stressed the need for all stakeholders, especially the banks, Nigeria Communications Commission and security agencies, to do more to address the problem.
Speaking at the weekend at a webinar organised by the Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, with the theme ‘Digital Fraud and the need for a national Intelligence programme’, Musa Jimoh , director of Payments System at the CBN, , stated that the rate of frauds in the sector had expanded and that the perpetrators were exploiting new channels to compromise the system.
The Ministry of Communications had in 2017 disclosed that Nigeria loses about N127bn yearly to cases of Internet frauds across all the sectors of the economy. It added that the majority of the frauds were perpetrated on foreign domain names but had become popular among Nigeria’s millions of Internet users.
However, Jimoh gave an assurance that the apex bank was closely monitoring the financial services space to ensure that the activities of the fraudsters were brought to an end.
He stated, “The rate and incidence of fraud have actually expanded. More frauds are being committed. Once you open a new channel, people study it and they begin to penetrate. Once the CBN issues a regulation around the payments system, the next thing they do is to see where the compromises are.
“That is why I like the theme of this event to enable us to seek national collaboration to fight cybercriminals in this country and across the world.”
He noted however that it would be diversionary to think frauds were committed by external persons only. “We also look at banks; we are not going to deceive ourselves that fraud is only committed by the customers,” he said. “We believe that frauds could happen within the banks, which was why we introduced the dual authorisation process whereby a transaction cannot start and end with one person.
“We also ask banks to provide security and protection mechanisms around the information of their customers in their possession. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, known as PCI DSS, was also made mandatory, in which case every bank has to secure the data its customers provided in a way that they cannot be stolen.”
Jimoh, who pointed out that most of the information used by the fraudsters to defraud customers were due to the leakages in the banks, narrated how some persons attempted to defraud him by sending him a text message that he needed to replace his ATM card and that he should send some information if he wanted it fixed.
“What struck me was that, in the message, they put another (phone) number I could call if I wanted it resolved,” he noted. “The number that sent the message and the one the person asked me to call are available and these are active numbers. I tried (calling) the numbers and they connected.
“My question is, what do we do to these people? By today’s configuration, no line can be active without the National Identification Number and if that phone is active within the banking industry, it has a million targets. So, we should know the owners of those lines and the need for collaboration has become very mandatory between the police, other security agencies and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
“The NCC also has to come in because every SIM has biometric data attached to it and should be identified. We need to collaborate so we can take these monsters out of the system. I do not see any reason why somebody should use a phone to commit an offence and that person’s phone or account information is still active within the system.”
He said people who commit infractions in the banking system were being placed on a watchlist and they would be made “miserable” within the financial services system.
In recognition of its exceptional contributions to innovative financial solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc has been awarded the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) category.
This prestigious accolade celebrates Fidelity Bank’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs, a vital segment in Nigeria’s economic growth.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, commented on the award, reaffirming the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs: “At Fidelity Bank, innovation is at the heart of our strategy to support MSMEs.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to developing scalable, inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions that create positive outcomes for our nation’s entrepreneurs. We are honored to receive the DBN award and dedicate it to our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The award was presented at the 2025 Service Ambassadors’ Awards ceremony in Lagos, themed ‘Enhancing Partnership for MSME Resilience and Growth.’ Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of DBN, emphasized the importance of financial institutions in transforming unbankable ideas into viable businesses through advisory services.
“You, our partners, are acknowledged and celebrated for your outreach to entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to scale. We appreciate you for your role in converting unbankable ideas into bankable businesses,” Okpanachi stated.
He noted that the award aims to recognize partners who make a significant impact, focusing on storytelling and the positive changes they bring to Nigeria.
This award joins a series of landmark initiatives by Fidelity Bank aimed at supporting MSMEs. Earlier in May, the bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to facilitate the expansion of Nigerian MSMEs across Africa.
Additionally, Fidelity Bank launched the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos—a multifunctional facility equipped with training halls, meeting rooms, networking spaces, and studios for music, photography, and content production.
This hub is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building, essential elements for strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem and driving economic growth.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has launched a new feature called Advance Top-Up on its USSD banking platform *919#, which is designed to provide instant access to airtime and data for its customers especially when they are out of call credit or disconnected from the internet.
The new feature which was unveiled at the UBA head office in Marina recently, allows customers to borrow airtime or data directly from their mobile devices, offering a fast, dependable solution.
Shamsideen Fashola, group head, Retail and Digital Banking, UBA, who spoke during the official launch, described the feature as a timely addition to the bank’s digital offerings and a testament to the its customer-first approach.
“At UBA, we are constantly looking for ways to make banking and everyday services more accessible for our customers. With the launch of Advance Top-Up on our USSD platform, *919#, we are giving our customers the power to stay connected without interruption, regardless of time, location, or airtime balance,” Shamsideen said.
UBA’s Advance Top-Up which is now live on *919#, joins a wide range of services on the platform, which include airtime and data purchases, money transfers to UBA and other banks, account balance checks, card blocking and freezing, online transaction controls, bill payments, and more.
Fashola emphasised the simplicity and convenience of the solution, adding that “You don’t need to download an app or visit a data centre. Just dial *919#, follow the prompt, and you’re immediately connected. It’s simple, fast, and reliable.”
Alero Ladipo, Bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, added that the feature was developed based on real feedback from customers and their evolving needs.
“Our users asked for a way to stay connected when they have no airtime, and as always, we have come up with a quick solution, right there on their phones, instantly, with no fuss, and no need for internet connectivity. Whether for emergency communications or business continuity, *919# puts instant connectivity in every customer’s hands,” she explained.
She explained that only recently, the bank unveiled its newly improved Point of Sale (POS) Terminal as well as the UBA MONI App to redefine the digital payment landscape and empower small and Medium Scale Enterprises across Africa.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it has uncovered a series of cyberattacks targeting Nigerian banks, with six financial institutions falling victim to highly coordinated hacking efforts by cybercriminals.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC who disclosed this during an interview posted by TVC, asserted that the anti-graft agency has recovered billions of naira and launched a robust investigation into insider collusion fueling the fraud.
He stated that the attacks were not isolated incidents but part of a sophisticated operation involving both local and international actors.
Olukoyede confirmed that ₦9.7 billion, ₦6.7 billion, and ₦3.7 billion were successfully recovered in three separate cases, preventing what could have been catastrophic losses for the affected banks.
He lamented that the methods employed by the criminals are alarming, noting that they use specialised devices.
The perpetrators, often in collaboration with insiders within the banks, gain unauthorised access to internal banking platforms.
The EFCC boss added that once access is granted, an external accomplice—frequently operating from overseas locations such as Eastern Europe or the United States—takes over the bank’s systems remotely.
He highlighted that what makes these operations especially dangerous is the active participation of bank staff.
According to him, in all the cases investigated, the EFCC has found strong evidence of insider collusion, prompting the agency to call on bank executives to audit their internal processes and personnel.
He said, “One major crisis we may face in the near future—if we don’t act decisively, which we are already doing—is the escalating issue of bank fraud.
“As I speak to you now, about six banks have been hacked by young individuals. I won’t mention their names to protect their image. In one case, we were able to recover about ₦9.7 billion for a major bank.
In another, we recovered about ₦6.7 billion, and in a third case, ₦3.7 billion was saved. This is the kind of work we are currently doing.
“Here’s how the fraud typically happens: the perpetrators use a device which they connect to the bank’s system—often with the help of insiders, particularly some bank staff. Once this device is connected, a collaborator outside Nigeria—whether in Eastern Europe, America, or elsewhere—can remotely control the bank’s platform.
“Just like a bank officer can transfer funds in and out of an account, these criminals can also move billions of naira within seconds.
“They often distribute the stolen money across multiple customer accounts, gain back-end access to these accounts, and then move the funds into digital wallets or through POS terminals, withdraw the cash, and vanish.
“The alarming part is that many banks remain vulnerable to these attacks. However, it’s important to emphasize that these fraudulent activities are not the fault of the banks themselves, but rather of some complicit staff members.
“In every single case we’ve investigated, there has been clear evidence of insider involvement. That is why we have urged bank executives to look inward. These attacks cannot be successfully carried out without the active connivance of their staff.
“This issue has drawn our full attention at the EFCC. We are working tirelessly to combat it. However, because of the potential impact on public confidence and economic stability, we are deliberately not making too much noise about it. We do not want to trigger panic or a rush to withdraw funds.”
“Nonetheless, rest assured that we are on top of the situation,” he stated.
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