Public urged to guard cellphones against fraudulent characters

The Enugu State Police Command on Thursday advised members of the public to be wary of bank details leakages through their cellphones to unscrupulous and fraudulent characters.

The command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Nsukka, Enugu.

Amaraizu said that investigation revealed that suspected criminals often got bank details of their victims through the victims’ phones.

“The command is advising everybody to guard their cellphones jealously and ensure you leave your cellphones in secured hands or places all the time.

“Hoodlums have perfected the act of retrieving Bank Verification Number (BVN) from cellphones and using same to get access to bank details of bank customers.

“Hence, they have wreaked heavy financial losses on their victims, leaving some with no kobo in their bank accounts,’’ he said.

The spokesman said that the command had made series of contacts with financial associations and bodies on the development.

“We have also started massive sensitization both in radio and television on the matter, most times using local languages to get everybody informed on the development.

“The command has started meeting with various professional bodies and artisans on the matter.

“We will be speaking to the general public through any public gathering or forum to ensure that everybody is sensitized and security conscious,’’ he said.

The command has been battling to contain hoodlums and criminals who use subtle antics and unconventional ways to perpetrate crimes in Enugu State.