CBN WARNS; “Beware of Fraudulent Loan Offers, Investment Schemes
The Central Bank of Nigeria has detached its person from any messages, either in video or text form that requests loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses to apply for loans or investment schemes purportedly facilitated by the Bank.
CBN stressed that no organization has been appointed to serve as its agent for the purpose of investment or applying for intervention loans.
In a statement signed by Osita Nwanisobi, the bank’s acting director, Corporate Communications, the apex Bank noted that it does not communicate directly with applicants of its financial intervention programmes.
The statement reads:
“The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again been drawn to fraudulent messages and videos in social media circles requesting unsuspecting loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses to apply for loans or investment schemes purportedly facilitated by the Bank, ” the statement read.
”While the CBN, indeed, has several development finance intervention programmes from which different categories of businesses have benefitted (and still benefitting), it DOES NOT do so through direct interaction with prospective applicants.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there are clearly spelt out procedures for accessing CBN intervention funds, which are disbursed through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), such as Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs). The Bank also does not facilitate investment schemes.”
“Members of the public, particularly youth and owners of small scale businesses are therefore advised to disregard any video or text message proposing investment schemes or charging them fees on the pretext that their organisations are endorsed by the Cbn and therefore would guarantee easy access to CBN loans.
“These videos and messages are fraudulent, and anyone who enters into correspondence with those behind them does so at his or her own risk.
CBN has neither appointed not accredited any organization to serve as agents on its behalf for the purpose of investment or applying for intervention loans.
“Prospective applicants are therefore advised to approach their respective banks and NIRSAL Micro-Finance bank or Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Branch nearest to them for clarification on the process for accessing any of the CBN related facility.”
The bank went on to instruct small-scale business owners and youths to approach their respective banks, NIRSAL Micro-Finance Bank or the CBN branch nearest to them for clarification on the procedure for accessing any of the CBN intervention funds.
