By 
Nigerians beware! Fraudsters are on the prowl wanting to dupe you with fake news of federal government grants for COVID-19. Do not click on the message: “Argentina Is Doing It.” Your phone will be hacked.
In line with its efforts at enlightening the public on the nefarious actions of cybercriminals exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to mislead and defraud unsuspecting victims, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is alerting Nigerians on recent COVID-19-related fake news in circulation.
The fake news tagged “Argentina Is Doing It”, being circulated over social media, particularly on WhatsApp, is aimed at causing panic and inducing terror in individuals.
NITDA is warning recipients of such messages not to open a video file called ”Argentina Is Doing It” as it will hack their phone in 10 seconds. Furthermore, in order to lend credibility to the message, the message falsely claims that the Cable News Network (CNN) also reported it.
NITDA has identified the message as fake as it exhibits some of the following characteristics of fake/hoax messages:
- The message content includes instructions to forward the message; \
- The sender claims some kind of affiliation with a credible source or organization;
- The message aims to induce panic or shock the recipient, often making impossible claims or serious consequences about the effect of the virus or malicious software; and
- The messages contains alarming languages tending to emphasize the urgent nature of the threat.
“The general public is therefore urged to disregard this as there is no CNN article regarding this hoax.Furthermore, the message is a variant of a similar message in circulation since 2017. NITDA calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its efforts at containing the spread of COVID-19 in the country by not spreading fake news. We are also encouraged to strictly adhere to recommendations given by health experts, and follow updates from verified sources of the relevant agencies handling this outbreak,” said NITDA in a statement issued in Abuja over the weekend and signed by Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar.
