By Emmanuel Elebeke The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fake COVID-19 relief disbursement data collection form in circulation describing it a fraud. The information being circulated which has now gone viral on various social media platforms, requests users to provide their personal data such as phone number, email address, bank details etc. But in apparent response, NITDA cautions that the site is fraudulent site and advised Nigerians to be wary of such online requests, noting that governments at all levels have established channels of collecting information for the purpose of disbursing palliatives.

It hinted that the activities of the cyber-criminals are on the increase due to the lockdown and ‘Stay At Home’ directive being observed globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement Reds: “The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) wishes to draw the attention of the general public to yet another fraudulent online data collection form that is capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. “The information indicates, that it is for the users to access various Government palliatives aimed at cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This site is fraudulent site and Nigerians are advised to be wary of such online requests. Governments at all levels have established channels of collecting information for the purpose of disbursing palliatives.”