The Federal Government on Tuesday raised the alarm over the existence of an Android-based malicious and fraudulent Coronavirus Ransomware application, which claims to provide updates on the Coronavirus and infections near the user.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in a statement by his Special Assistant, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, said the Ransomware blocks access to users’ personal data and accounts and threatens deletion, unless users pay $100 in Bitcoin within 48 hours.
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He said the Coronavirus Ransomware Application, detected on the website www.coronavirusapp.site, prompts users to download an Android App purportedly for coronavirus map tracking and heat map visuals.
Mohammed said the development confirmed warnings against cybercriminals seeking to exploit the growing spread of the virus for nefarious gains.
The Minister, therefore, called on the general public not to download the Ransomware App and to seek updates on the pandemic only from the appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has advised Nigerians to be wary of corrupt elements who want to exploit the Coronavirus situation to defraud people.
NIMC uploaded a public notice advertorial on its official Twitter account on Wednesday, placing a ‘SCAM’ text across the picture.
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The advert claimed that federal government is paying 8,500 naira to Nigerians due to the sit-at-home order.
But NIMC stated that people should not disclose their National Identification Number ( NIN) to the scammers, as the contents in the picture are false and fraudulent.
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