A viral message on social media alleges that the Federal Government of Nigeria is distributing ₦75,000 to all citizens as a cash transfer initiative to combat inflation. The message claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to relaunch the scheme. It directs recipients to apply via a provided link and asks applicants to share the information with 15 people or 5 WhatsApp groups. Also, applicants are required to submit personal details such as their name, phone number, bank account information, state, and local government area.
This claim has gained significant traction, but further investigation reveals it is a fraudulent scheme designed to deceive Nigerians and harvest sensitive information.
Investigation
- Official Confirmation: There is no official statement from the Federal Government, the Ministry of Finance, or any credible agency about a ₦75,000 cash transfer scheme.
- Website Authenticity: The provided link (https://hd.ke/75k-Fg-Cash-Transfer) is not affiliated with any government agency. Official government websites in Nigeria use domains like .gov.ng.
Red Flags:
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- Sharing the link to multiple people is a hallmark of phishing schemes aimed at spreading malicious links.
- Requesting personal and financial information without a secure platform is a tactic used by scammers to commit identity theft or fraud.
Verdict
This claim is false. The purported ₦75,000 cash transfer scheme is a scam designed to deceive Nigerians into sharing sensitive information and promoting the fraudulent link.
Advice to the Public
- Always verify such claims through official government channels.
- Do not share your personal or financial information on unverified websites.
- Avoid clicking on or sharing suspicious links.
Stay vigilant and report scams to relevant authorities to protect yourself and others.
