The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a stern warning to the general public, urging caution against fraudulent ‘Swift’ messages and unsubstantiated claims regarding foreign currency transfers allegedly withheld by Nigerian banks or the apex bank itself.
The bank also stated its readiness to involve law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals making illegitimate allegations.
The warning follows a surge in petitions from private individuals, law firms, government agencies, and private entities claiming that foreign currency funds sent to their accounts by foreign entities have not been credited. These claims are often accompanied by fake documents such as SWIFT MT103 and SWIFT acknowledgment (ACK) copies, purportedly as proof of remittance.
