The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a public alert over a new wave of fraudulent schemes involving fake airline ticket promotions, warning Nigerians to exercise caution.
According to the Commission, fraudsters are now exploiting bogus foreign airline discount promos to lure unsuspecting victims into revealing sensitive financial information. The fraudsters reportedly deploy malware and social engineering tactics—using enticing keywords like “Promo” and “Investment Windows”—to trick people into providing access to their bank accounts.
In one such case, victims were promised a 50% discount on ticket purchases for a popular international airline. They were asked to pay a token fee of N500, ostensibly for charity, and download a mobile app to access the offer. However, once the app was installed, the scammers gained unauthorized access to their personal data and siphoned funds into accounts held in microfinance banks.
The EFCC revealed that the fraudulent scheme is largely orchestrated by a network of young Nigerians acting as “Account Suppliers” or members of a so-called “KYC Group.” These individuals pay between N1,500 and N2,000 to acquire other people’s personal data—including National Identification Number (NIN) slips, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), passport photos, and other identification documents. This information is then sold to fintech companies for up to N5,000 and used to open accounts for fraudulent transactions, including crypto laundering.
The anti-graft agency confirmed that arrests have been made and efforts are ongoing to recover funds lost through these scams. It also warned that participation in such schemes poses a significant risk to national security.
The EFCC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid disclosing personal financial details or agreeing to act as “account donors” under any circumstances.
“The Commission remains committed to safeguarding the financial system and protecting citizens from fraud,” it said.
