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Beware! Fraudsters Shop Abroad with Cloned Nigerian ATM Cards

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Facts emerged on Tuesday that electronic fraudsters had been duplicating Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards belonging to Nigerian bank customers and using them to buy items worth millions of dollars from shopping malls in the United States.

Punch newspaper said that top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the development had made Nigerian banks and their customers to be losing millions of naira to the e-fraud.

The development, it was learnt, had become so overwhelming and that top executives of the banks and senior officials of the CBN had to meet with a team of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives led by the director of operations in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to sources close to the meeting, the banks are seeking the assistance of the anti-graft agency to help in arresting some of the fraudsters who are using the duplicated ATM cards in the US.

From the outcome of the meeting, the EFCC is set to collaborate with a sister agency in the US in order to effect the arrest of some of the electronic fraudsters.

The source disclosed, “Banks have been losing a lot of money to electronic fraudster cartels who are using customers’ ATM cards to fraudulently buy items across shopping malls in the US.

“Normally, customers should bear the loss but because banks don’t want the issue to come to the public so that the use of ATM cards will not be discouraged, they settle those customers by paying the money.”

Asked how the Nigerian ATM cards are being duplicated and used in the US, a source close to the development explained, “In Nigeria, we use chip and PIN, but the US still uses magnetic stripe. So, what those fraudsters do is to get the details of a customers’ ATM card, duplicate it and then go to shopping malls and start using it to buy items.

“When they are using the PoS in US shopping malls, all they do is to swipe the card and then payment is made. They don’t need to put any PIN. Through these, items are bought using Nigerian ATM cards.”

According to Punch, an EFCC source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed the meeting and noted the anti-graft agency was set to work with the US government to arrest the fraudsters.

A top official in one of the top banks said the incidence of electronic frauds had been on the increase and the development was a source of worry to bank executives.

It was learnt that most of the frauds were being perpetrated in connivance with some bank officials.

The official recalled that prior to 2010 when Nigerian banks were still using magnetic stripe for ATM cards; the issue of using Nigerian ATM cards fraudulently abroad was prevalent.

However, when the banking sector migrated to the chip and PIN system, the problem stopped.

“However, the frauds have started again now in a new form of Nigerian ATM cards being duplicated and used abroad. The incidence is becoming very high now and something has to be done urgently to arrest the trend,” the banker added.

Analysts have said that the increasing incidence of electronic frauds may affect the growth of the cash-less Nigeria initiative.

Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, deputy governor, Corporate Services, CBN, recently said at a conference that the incidence of fraud involving bank officials had been on the increase.

Adelabu, who is a former Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria, linked the increasing frauds in the banking sector to several issues, including the banks’ poor recruitment procedures and failure to prosecute workers involved in fraudulent activities for fear of reputational risk.

Mr. Abolade Agbola, chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Lagos branch, linked the high incidence of electronic frauds to lack of integrity and poor staff conditions in the banking sector.

“When you see the fraud that happens and the trillions of transactions that take place daily, then I think the banks have to take the technology ahead, take the staffing ahead and then create a future for the members of staff so that they can know that they have a future in the organisations and that they can build a future,” he said.


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E-Financial

MoneyMaster PSB Customers to Enjoy 10% Data Bonus Per Recharge

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Customers of foremost payment service bank, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank (MMPSB), will henceforth, enjoy a 10 percent data bonus offer on every recharge above N1,000 on their Glo lines.

The data bundle offers one of the highest volumes in the country and the data purchases come with 30-day validity, with an automatic rollover of unused data upon subscription for a new plan.

The offer, which is meant to reward loyal customers and new ones, also underscores the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerians to master their money via efficient offers that make every naira count.

The 10 percent bonus offer is available for Glo customers on banking channels including the MoneyMaster PSB app, USSD banking code *995# and MoneyMaster PSB Web banking.

MoneyMaster is a provider of innovative digital financial products and services that transform lives. It has the mission to deepen financial inclusion and has been pivotal in providing financial technology services to bridge the gaps between the banked, underbanked and unbanked population.

Mr. Julius Arhebun, head of Agency Banking at MoneyMaster, said, the offer shows the bank’s commitment to offering its customers products that enhance their lifestyle and help them master their money.

“With this offer, our existing and new customers can enjoy extended access to quality internet services whether it is streaming their favourite content, browsing top sites, or catching up on trends on their favourite social media apps”, he noted.

He further explained that existing customers can buy a data bundle of N1000 or above from their mobile wallets, savings account or individual current account via our USSD banking code *995#, mobile app or web banking. For new customers, the offer comes via opening accounts via the USSD banking platform or downloading the mobile application.

 


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UBA Set to Establish Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia

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United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has set the wheels in motion to expand its operations in the Middle East with plan ongoing to open a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, its largest economy.

UBA Set to Establish Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia

This move which is expected to happen within the next year will mark the bank’s second subsidiary in the Gulf Region, following the expansion of its business to the United Arab Emirates in 2022.

Muyiwa Akinyemi, group deputy managing director, UBA, who disclosed this during a panel session during the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in an interview with Arise TV, underscored the bank’s strategic commitment towards fostering Africa’s growth through infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and sustainable partnerships across key global markets.

He said, “Opening a presence in Saudi Arabia represents the next step for us in connecting the Africa-Gulf region. We are excited to bring UBA’s expertise in financial services to Saudi Arabia, where we aim to facilitate knowledge transfer and create strong economic linkages.

“This venture will further enable us to access Saudi expertise in food security, energy transition, and sustainable practices, which are all critical for Africa’s continued development.”

While emphasising the importance of Africa as a strategic investment destination for long-term capital, he said, “Africa’s infrastructure deficit is an opportunity for investors worldwide. Our pitch to the Gulf and Southeast Asia emphasizes that Africa must be part of their investment horizon. Today, food security is paramount as our population expands.

Akinyemi also highlighted the bank’s dedication to nurturing Africa’s youth talent through entrepreneurship.

“Guided by our Group Chairman’s efforts with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, UBA is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs in tech, agriculture, and entertainment, which are all burgeoning sectors in Africa. With such a young and dynamic population, we see enormous potential for innovation and growth.”

He also reiterated the bank’s continuous support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and beyond as he outlined the bank’s commitment to these businesses, which he referred to as key players in the African economy and vehicles for employment and economic growth.

“SMEs are the backbone of economic development in Africa. They contribute significantly to job creation and value chains, particularly within Nigeria. Over the last year, UBA has committed billions to support SMEs across Africa, and our network of over 20 countries enables us to make a substantial impact.”

During the panel discussions, Akinyemi took time to emphasize UBA’s longstanding experience on the continent as it navigates an ever-evolving investment landscape, adding that “As investors, we focus on infrastructure and sustainable projects that encourage economic prosperity while addressing pressing issues such as talent migration.

“Our goal is to ensure that people can thrive in Africa without needing to relocate. By investing in local talent and fostering growth sectors, we contribute to building the next generation of global innovators right here in Africa,” he noted.

The DMD further articulated UBA’s approach to risk management on the continent, emphasizing that the bank’s 75-year history has uniquely equipped it with insights and strategies to navigate diverse markets.

“With over seven decades of experience, Africa is what we know, and that knowledge allows us to manage risks effectively. We see tremendous opportunities in various sectors across the continent, and our continued investments are driven by a commitment to bring economic empowerment to communities, increase GDP, and improve socioeconomic quality. Our anniversary is a celebration of UBA’s legacy of contributing to Africa’s progress. We look forward to leveraging this milestone to drive even greater impact across sectors and empower future generations,” he said.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.


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PalmPay Marks 5th Anniversary, Highlights Achievements

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PalmPay, a leading emerging markets-focused fintech, has marked the 5th anniversary of its operations in Nigeria at a celebratory event held in Lagos recently.

PalmPay Marks 5th Anniversary, Highlights Achievements

During the event, Palmpay highlighted key milestones in its journey and updates on its growth and impact in the country.

Speaking at the anniversary, Chika Nwosu, managing director, PalmPay Nigeria, said: “We’ve built a platform that 35 million users trust, and with our growing network of agents and merchants, PalmPay is playing a key role in digitising Nigeria’s economy. Looking ahead, our strategy is clear—continue to lead with secure, reliable solutions while fostering partnerships that empower more people and businesses to reach their financial goals.”

At the core of PalmPay’s approach, is making financial services more accessible in a market where traditional banking options have left many underserved.

The new *861# USSD code allows customers to access PalmPay services without the internet, offering greater accessibility for users who run out of data or are in areas with low network coverage.

The company also emphasised its commitment to security at a time when financial fraud is increasing globally.

PalmPay has implemented security measures such as facial recognition, biometric login, and AI-driven transaction monitoring to ensure secure payments. Every account is verified through NIN or BVN, and customers who lose their phones can now freeze their accounts via the newly launched USSD service.


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