EFCC warns Nigerians about fake social media handles, addresses

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday urged Nigerians to be wary of fake social media handles and addresses that were created by “unscrupulous members of the public”.
The commission in a statement by its acting spokesman, Tony Orilade, in Abuja frowned at the act, saying that anti-social elements were bent on polluting and defeating efforts to use online media to expose corruption.
Orilade said: “This act is carried out through the criminal act of cloning the commission’s social media handles and addresses, and using same to perpetrate fraud.
“Since the commission was established in 2003, it has embraced both online and offline platforms to expose corrupt practices in its efforts to clean up the society and punish fraudsters.
“It is important to note that Section 6(P) of the EFCC Establishment Act captures the commission’s mandate for sensitisation and enlightenment.
“On the strength of this, the commission vastly employs the social media as a strong tool in the exposure of financial crimes and corruption.
“This is compelling, given the enormity of the task on our hands and the need to properly and adequately inform the public on the evils of financial crimes and corruption.
“We also have to check the spread of fake news as it concerns the commission.”
Orilade, therefore, stressed that the authentic social media handles and addresses of EFCC included “Facebook-@officialefcc; Instagram-@officialefcc and Twitter-@officialefcc’’.
He also said that the commission could be reached via its hotline, 08093322644, and e-mail address — info@efccnigeria.org.