Phishing is the number one cyberattack used against individuals, businesses, and institutions in Nigeria. Whether it’s through emails, SMS, WhatsApp, calls, or social media, phishing attacks are responsible for most cases of:
This article breaks down what phishing is, how it works, real examples in Nigeria, and how you can protect yourself.
Phishing is a cyberattack where scammers trick you into giving them:
They usually pretend to be:
The goal is to steal information, money, or access to your accounts.
Scammers send emails that look like they came from your bank, office, or a known company.
Examples:
These emails contain:
This is extremely common in Nigeria.
Messages look like:
Once you call back or click the link, the scam begins.
Hackers pretend to be:
They send:
Many Nigerian WhatsApp groups have been used to spread phishing links.
Scammers call pretending to be:
They ask for:
Legitimate institutions never ask for these details.
They build fake websites that look like:
Victims enter their credentials and the scammers steal them instantly.
This targets companies.
A scammer hacks a company email and tricks the staff into:
This has caused millions in losses in Nigeria.
They use:
Examples:
Urgency prevents victims from thinking clearly.
The scammer might get:
This often happens within minutes.
This is why recovery becomes difficult.
People receive emails claiming:
Victims click the link → lose their savings.
Someone calls:
“We need to update your NIN or your SIM will be blocked.”
Victims give their info → identity theft.
Fake dispatchers ask for:
“₦500 delivery confirmation fee.”
Victims pay → no delivery.
Fake loan apps that steal:
Then blackmail victims.
Example: “Act now or your account will be closed.”
Often shortened with:
Example:
gtbankservices@gmail.com
mtncustomersoffice@yahoo.com
OTP = One Time Password
If you give it out, scammers can access your account.
Go directly to the official website.
Prevents unauthorized access even if your password is stolen.
Look for spelling errors or suspicious domains.
Prevents scammers from gathering information.
Banks and government agencies don’t call randomly.
Most scams succeed because victims are unaware.
So nobody else falls for the same scam.
Phishing is becoming more sophisticated, but with awareness and vigilance, you can protect yourself. Remember:
👉 Your bank will NEVER ask for your OTP.
👉 No legitimate company will ask for your password.
👉 Do not click unfamiliar links.
Your safety depends on your awareness — and NoToYahoo is here to help you stay secure.
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