The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over a fraudulent scheme currently circulating online and via text messages, in which unsuspecting Nigerians are being asked to provide their bank details to claim N85,000 allegedly being disbursed under a so-called “Bola Tinubu Empowerment” programme.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party categorically dismissed the message as a scam orchestrated by criminal elements to exploit innocent citizens for financial gain.
The deceptive message, according to reports, has been circulating across social media platforms and messaging apps, with recipients being urged to call 07078309083 to register for the fake empowerment package.
“The APC alerts the general public to a scam message requesting individuals to submit their bank account details for the payment of N85,000 from a purported Bola Tinubu empowerment scheme,” Morka stated. “This message is entirely false and malicious. Neither the APC nor President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched any such programme.”
He warned Nigerians against engaging with the number or any contact associated with the message, stressing that such attempts are designed to defraud gullible individuals under the guise of government-sponsored interventions.
“The party urges members of the public to exercise caution and avoid falling prey to these cybercriminals,” Morka added. “At no point has the APC authorised any empowerment scheme of this nature, and no individual or group has been mandated to collect personal or financial information on behalf of the party or the President.”
The APC also called on relevant security agencies and cybercrime units to act swiftly in tracking the origin of the fraudulent scheme and apprehending the perpetrators.
“This is not just an attack on the pockets of innocent citizens; it is an attempt to tarnish the image of the President and the credibility of his administration. We call on the police, DSS, EFCC, and other security operatives to thoroughly investigate and bring those responsible to justice,” Morka urged.
The party reiterated its commitment to transparent and legitimate empowerment initiatives, urging citizens to verify all government programmes through official APC or Federal Government communication channels before taking action.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts have warned that such schemes are increasingly common and often target economically vulnerable populations, particularly during periods of hardship. They advised the public to refrain from sharing personal data with unknown sources and to report suspicious messages to law enforcement.
With economic challenges placing many citizens under pressure, the APC said the public must remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to opportunistic fraudsters masquerading as benefactors.
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