…As CBN Alerts Nigerians On Fake eNaira Account
eNaira disappears from Google Play Store barely 48 hours after it was launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari.
Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the eNaira app is currently available on the Apple app store with 2.6 over 5 ratings.
The eNaira was developed by the fintech company, Bitt, which was also responsible for the creation of CBDC in some East Caribbean countries.
At the launch on Monday, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, boasted that 500 million eNaira ($1.21 million) has already been minted.
Meanwhile, a notice on the eNaira website explained how the currency and the wallet would work.
It read: “Get Ready With Your Accurate BVN Data For Your Hitch-Free Enrolment.
“To sign-up on the eNaira speed wallet, you would be required to input the following details exactly as captured during your BVN enrollment.
“First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, State of Origin, and Email.
“Your banks are waiting to assist you in validating and updating your BVN details to ensure seamless enrolment to the eNaira platform.”
However, following several complains negative reactions, complains ranging from the inability to link their Bank Verification number, to getting a verification email, the eNaira app has disappeared from Google Play Store
Brand Spur Nigeria observed that majority of the users gave the app one star. It is not clear whether the app was removed due to the poor rating it suffered or if the CBN had done that itself.
Meanwhile, CBN has warned Nigerian to be careful of fake e-Naira Twitter handle, attributing the emergence of the fake e-Naira handle to the activities of criminals.
It said fraudsters have been using the Twitter handle, (@e-Naira_cbdc), purported to belong to the apex bank, to send messages relating to the virtual currency in order to woo unsuspecting victims.
This was made known in a statement issued by the CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, who advised the Nigerian public to guard against falling prey to the antics of fraudsters.
Nwanisobi said that the said Twitter handle does not belong to the CBN and that the apex bank, as it had since suspended its presence on the social media site, following the federal government’s ban on Twitter.
eNaira Disappears From Google Play Store After Massive Poor Rating
The statement reads, “Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, October 25, 2021, the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the Bank.
“The impostor handle and fraudulent persons have been posting messages related to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 Billion eNaira currency.
“These impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting members of the public through the links attached to their messages for application to obtain eNaira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion eNaira currency.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central of Nigeria (CBN) is not the owner of that twitter handle (@enaira_cbdc) and indeed suspended its presence on Twitter following the Federal Government’s Ban.
“In effect, the Bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens. To this end, members of the public are hereby warned to be wary of fraudsters who have resolved to take advantage of unsuspecting Nigerians.
“Members of the public should always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: www.enaira.gov.ng or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them.
“For clarity, the current official social media handles of the eNaira are: www.facebook.com/myenaira; www.instagram.com/myenaira and www.youtube.com/myenaira Any suspicious activity by members of the public should be reported to the CBN using [email protected] or to relevant law enforcement agencies. Please be guided accordingly.”
