The Police Community Relations Committee has cautioned members across Nigeria and abroad to steer clear of fraudulent empowerment cash portals and suspicious web links that request personal and banking details under the pretext of securing the federal government’s ₦50,000 relief stipend.
In a statement signed by Arakunrin Badmus Omoniyi Saburi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategies to the PCRC National Chairman, on behalf of the national chairman and executives, the committee said beneficiaries of the ongoing Federal Government relief disbursement by NERSI through OPay and MoMo accounts were selected directly by the agency.
The warning, issued from Abuja on November 5, 2026, urged members to disregard messages circulating on social media and messaging platforms asking them to apply for the funds through unofficial portals.
The committee stressed that beneficiary selection was “NOT by random sharing of messages, forwarding links, or filling any portal shared on WhatsApp.”
It cautioned members against clicking unfamiliar links or disclosing sensitive financial information, including one-time passwords (OTPs), personal identification numbers (PINs), bank verification numbers (BVNs) and bank account details.
The PCRC also warned members not to pay anyone to access the relief funds, urging them to remain vigilant and share the notice to prevent others from falling victim to possible fraud.
What You Should Know
Cybercriminals are capitalizing on government intervention programs to target unsuspecting citizens with fake online forms and phishing links. The Police Community Relations Committee wants the public to understand that genuine relief disbursements are handled directly through official channels without requiring random link submissions.
- Positive Impact: Staying informed protects your personal data and hard-earned money from falling into the hands of fraudsters.
- Potential Concerns: Falling for these scams can result in severe financial loss, bank account compromise, and the unauthorized exposure of sensitive identification documents.
