The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it is not disbursing eNaira currency to Nigerians as being claimed by fraudsters.

The apex bank urged Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters who have been posting fraudulent messages relating to the eNaira launched recently.

Mr Osita Nwanisobi, Director, Corporate Communications, said in a statement posted on the bank’s website on Wednesday, that the bank was not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens as claimed by the fraudsters.

Nwanisobi said, “Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, Oct. 25, the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent Twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the Bank.

“The impostor handle and fraudulent persons have been posting messages related to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria, among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 Billion eNaira currency.

“These impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting members of the public through the links attached to their messages for application to obtain eNaira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion eNaira currency.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central of Nigeria is not the owner of that twitter handle (@enaira_cbdc) and indeed suspended its presence on Twitter following the Federal Government’s ban. In effect, the Bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens.’’

Nwanisobi urged Nigerians to always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: www.enaira.gov.ng or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them.

He also advised anyone seeking clarity to visit the enaira current official social media handles: www.facebook.com/myenaira; www.instagram.com/myenaira and www.youtube.com/myenaira.

Nwanisobi urged that suspicious activity by members of the public should be reported to the CBN using [email protected] or to relevant law enforcement agencies.