A message currently circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened its “Ad-Hoc Staff Application Portal 2026” and is recruiting 10,000 people to work in the coming elections. The message invites both graduates and non-graduates to apply via a link: https://okripeti.org/Inec-ADhoc-Staff-Recruitment.html and urges users to share it with others. This claim is false and misleading. VerificationINEC has not announced any ad-hoc staff recruitment through the website okripeti.org or any similar domain. The Commission has officially warned the public about fake and unauthorized recruitment portals falsely claiming affiliation with INEC. According…
Author: linkguard
As online threats evolve, scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but so can you. These practical safety tips will help you stay one step ahead of fraudsters in 2026. 1. Think Before You Click Scammers hide harmful links in emails, texts, social media messages, and ads. Hover over links to preview URLs before clicking. Avoid short links from unknown senders. If a message feels urgent or threatening, verify it through official channels first. 2. Verify the Source Never trust the appearance of a logo or familiar name alone. Double-check email addresses and website domains for slight misspellings. Contact the organization directly using…
Claim: A viral video circulating on WhatsApp and social media, alongside sponsored articles, claims that Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has launched a new investment platform called Instant 9.3 CrypPro, allegedly guaranteeing participants ₦5,000,000 or more per week from a minimum investment of ₦380,000. The scheme is said to be backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Finance, and major corporations, with over 10,000 Nigerians already profiting. Verdict: ❌ False. There is no evidence that Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian government, or any major financial institution is connected to Instant 9.3 CrypPro. The claims and the accompanying…
A message circulating widely on WhatsApp and other social media platforms claims that OPay is giving ₦10,000 to customers as an “End of the Year Cash Grant 2025.” The post urges users to click a shortened link, answer a few questions, and share the link on WhatsApp to receive the money instantly. This claim is misleading and dangerous. VerificationThere is no official announcement from OPay supporting this offer. Checks on OPay’s verified website, mobile app, and official social media accounts show no promotion or cash grant of this nature. OPay typically announces genuine promotions directly within its app or through…
A new wave of phishing scams is spreading online, and the images above illustrate how attackers now use extremely subtle tricks to deceive people. These scams often involve fake email addresses that look almost identical to legitimate ones. At a quick glance, users may fail to notice the manipulated characters, making the scam highly effective. The attached images reveal an email that appears to come from “noreply@microsoft.com” but actually uses “noreply@rnicrosoft.com.” Scammers rely on the fact that “rn” closely resembles the letter “m,” especially on mobile screens. This small alteration is easy to overlook and allows fraudsters to impersonate trusted…
A website, extrainincome.xyz, is currently being shared across WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook, claiming that users can earn money by completing simple online tasks such as quizzes, surveys, and advertisements. The platform promises fast and easy income, attracting many unsuspecting Nigerians who are seeking legitimate online opportunities. However, upon closer examination, extrainincome.xyz displays several characteristics that are consistent with known scam websites previously exposed in Nigeria, such as MMM, CBEX, and other fraudulent investment platforms. Verification 1. Suspicious Domain SetupThe domain extrainincome.xyz is recently registered and hides its ownership details — a common red flag among fraudulent websites. Scam operators often…
A fraudulent website, https://nctocct.com, is making rounds online, claiming to offer N450,000 NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) as part of the NCTO Household Uplifting Programme. This scam lures unsuspecting individuals with promises of financial relief but demands a ₦3,000 acceptance fee. Here’s what we uncovered. The Claim The fake platform sends messages like: “Dear Household, Kindly Accept Your N450,000.00 NIRSAL Microfinance TCF for NCTO Household Uplifting Programme Conditional Cash Transfer at: https://nctocct.com.” Once victims enter their phone numbers on the website, they are shown another person’s details, creating confusion and false urgency. The site then instructs users…
A viral post currently circulating on WhatsApp, Facebook, and other platforms claims that multinational food and beverage company NESTLÉ is recruiting 50,000 Nigerian youths for its Learnership Applications Training Programme 2025. The message promises participants a monthly stipend of ₦300,000 – ₦600,000, along with free transport allowance, accommodation, and meals. It instructs applicants to apply through a suspicious link: https://nestle-learnerships.apply-now.cloud Verification No announcement by Nestlé Nigeria or Nestlé Global: A check on Nestlé’s official website and verified social media pages shows no such recruitment or learnership programme. Nestlé typically announces genuine opportunities via its official career portal (www.nestle.com/jobs) or through…
A viral message circulating on WhatsApp and social media claims that the Federal Government of Nigeria is distributing free solar cookers to over 10 million households across the 36 states. The message includes a link asking people to click and apply for the supposed “Solar-Power Clean Cooking Initiative.” The message reads in part: “Over 10 Million Nigeria residents across all 36 States will receive Free SOLAR-COOKER each; as FG targets 10 million households with solar power clean cooking initiative. This Portal is Opened for Citizens who are yet to receive from this ongoing solar-power cooking initiative or who is yet…
A job advert has been circulating on social media and messaging platforms with the headline: “Company Needs Persons Who Can Attend To Customers Complaints On WhatsAppWhatsApp Customer Service JobSalary is ₦185,000 monthlyApply Via Linkhttps://www.oneric.xyz/p/whatsapp-customer-service-job.html” The Claim The message claims that a company is urgently recruiting people to work as WhatsApp customer service agents, promising a monthly salary of ₦185,000. It also provides an external link for people to apply. The Facts No official company name provided – The advert does not mention the name of any legitimate company conducting the recruitment. Genuine job openings always identify the employer. Unrealistic salary…