News
Police Burst Gangs Who Empty Bank Accounts with SIM Cards
Zakarriyah Yahaya, a 46-year-old suspect, also known as ”His Excellency”, on Monday revealed how and his gang emptied the bank accounts of many Nigerians using lost or stolen SIM cards.
Yahaya, among 39 suspects paraded for various crimes at defunct headquarters of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Abuja by the Nigerian Police, explained that bank accounts of many Nigerians receiving alerts are easy to access by using their account and phone numbers.
The suspects were arrested across the country by Force Investigation Bureau of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led by Tunji Disu, who took over recently from Abba Kyari, suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Speaking to journalists, the suspect said, ”My name is Zakarriyah Yahaya, I was born and brought up in Jos. I was arrested last month in Mabushi here in Abuja. I used to reset any SIMs that receive bank alert. I will reset it and steal all the money inside the bank account.
”I do reset it with victim’s bank account number through bank code from the first to the last number. Any bank that we get, we first use it to buy recharge card, from there, they will send us the alert. From the alert, we will now get the account number.”
When asked for the banks they are mostly interested in, he said First Bank and Access Bank because they are easy to reset.
He disclosed that they started the job in the last two years and no fewer than eleven members of the gang are working for him, adding that they are operating in three main cities: Kano, Plateau and Abuja.
He said he could not recall the exact numbers of bank accounts they’d stolen from but they had once removed N800,000 from one of the accounts.
Explaining how they operate from the police’s investigation, Frank Mba, force spokesman, said the criminals do acquire SIM packs in large numbers and re-activate old phone numbers people don’t use again and explore any bank account’s details.
Mba said, ”Yahaya Zakari controls multiple gangs of cyber crooks whose talk-in-trade is to go after SIM cards, phone numbers of innocent Nigerians, breaking into their privacy, steal their banks’ IDs, and steal monies from the accounts.
”They have two main modus oprandi. The first is to go and purchase or acquire MTN lines, the new starter kits in large numbers. When they get these, they tried to hack BVN.
”Experience has shown them that at this stage, some of our service providers are recycling old numbers. Persons who had used phones and probably for some reasons have travelled out of the country, or for any other reason chose not to use the number again, and those numbers are dormant and currently being recycled and being re-issued to persons as new numbers.
”They are very skilful and they have ways of knowing or decoding old numbers. So, when they put on their MTN starter packs, and they are given options to select numbers, they select old numbers, and at random, they tried to explore and see if they could get bank details from those old numbers. That is their first modus.”
Mba also said the criminals do attack their victims physically, collect their phones and target their SIM, adding that they are not interested in the phones but the SIM cards.
He, however, appealed to Nigerians to guide their phones jealously and quickly report to their banks and service providers if their phones get lost.
According to him, ”The second, which is very dangerous where they sometimes hurt innocent citizens both physically and financially, is through deploying gangs that attack innocent citizens, forcefully snatch their phones, or sometimes get these phones stolen via pickpocketing.
”Once they get these phones, their target is not the phone, no matter how expensive your phone is, they are not interested in that phone, that’s not the main target. That could actually be a by-product or a side benefit from the crime, but the major target is your SIM card.
”And once they get your SIM card, they tried to play around with it, and see if they could find anything that can link them or take them straight into victims’ accounts, and they had done these successfully.
”With that, if they get access to your bank details, they go straight to steal your money. The lesson for all of us here is that, we must guide our phones jealously. Even when you lose a phone or a number and you think you’ve got two or three other numbers or lines, don’t let your number go back to strange hands, go back to your service providers and do all what’s necessary, re-activate and re-claim your lines.”
News
Substandard CNG Cylinder is Recipe for Disaster- SON
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has warned the public against the use of substandard and uncertified Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders.
The warning is coming in the wake of the unfortunate recent incident of CNG cylinder explosion at the NIPCO CNG Refueling Station in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement, the organisation said it has put robust and effective regulatory measures in place to ensure that all CNG equipment and conversion kits conform to approved standards before being certified for public use.
“The conformity assessment schemes are designed to prevent the import, manufacturing, and use of substandard products,” it stated.
In addition, SON said it is collaborating with the Presidential Initiatives on CNG and other relevant government bodies to finalise the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS) – a platform that will provide centralized monitoring and surveillance of CNG systems to ensure that only vehicles equipped with certified conversion kits can access gas at retail outlets.
“The NGVMS will also offer a database of approved CNG equipment and suppliers which will go a long way in preventing the substandard installations and further mitigating the associated risks.”
News
Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards
Access Bank PLC has been named the 2024 Best Digital Award Winner in the Commercial Banks Category at the Digital Jurist Awards, organized by Phillips Consulting (pcl.).
In addition to this top honour, the Bank also secured the Best Website Award, achieving an impressive score of 201 points for its engaging and user-friendly digital experience. Access Bank’s cumulative score of 380 points reflects its excellence across digital touchpoints, including its website, web portal, mobile app, and social media.
Commenting on the recognition, Amaechi Okobi, Chief Communications Officer of Access Holdings PLC, said, “We are honoured to receive the Best Digital and Best Website Awards at this year’s Digital Jurist Awards. At Access, our focus on digital innovation is driven by our commitment to deliver seamless, secure, and customer-centric solutions across all touchpoints.
This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to enhance our digital platforms, making financial services more accessible and efficient for our customers. We thank Phillips Consulting for recognising our efforts and will continue to raise the bar in digital excellence.”
Phillips Consulting has long served as a development partner to Nigerian financial institutions and other organisations with an online presence. Leveraging its proprietary Digital Jurist platform, the firm has conducted assessments of digital touchpoints in various sectors, from financial services and insurance to telecommunications and government agencies, over the past 17 years.
Originally established as Web Jurist®, the platform was reimagined as Digital Jurist to assess new and diversified digital channels in the evolving digital economy. Digital Jurist’s evaluation framework examines a range of factors, including user experience, accessibility, performance, functionality, security, customer service, support, marketing, and content engagement across digital platforms.
These awards reinforce Access Bank’s leadership in digital banking, adding to recent accolades including 2024 Best Digital Bank and Best Mobile Banking App by World Finance, Best Mobile Banking App and Best Digital Bank by The Digital Banker Awards, and Best Digital Banking Initiative at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024.
News
iPower Revolutionizes Home Power Solutions with All-In-One Inverter
iPower, a leader in alternative energy innovation, has unveiled its latest product—the iPower All-In-One (AIO) Inverter.
This cutting-edge inverter is set to transform energy management and accessibility with a complete, easy-to-install solution designed to meet modern power needs.
Now available on Konga at an unbeatable price, the iPower All-In-One Inverter combines convenience, efficiency, and flexibility, making it the ideal choice for homes, offices, and small businesses across Nigeria.
The iPower AIO inverter is designed as a plug-and-play energy solution, removing the need for complex wiring. Simply plug in your devices, and it’s ready for immediate use.
Its key feature—a robust, built-in lithium-ion battery—ensures reliable, long-lasting power storage. With its dual charging capability, the inverter supports both solar and electricity inputs, giving users the flexibility to stay powered in all conditions.
The product uses a powerful 2.5KW off-grid inverter paired with a 1.536KWh lithium-ion battery module. This plug-and-play design not only simplifies installation but also allows users to increase energy storage capacity as needed.
The compact design of the iPower All-In-One Inverter maximizes space savings, while its Smart Battery Management System (BMS) ensures safe and efficient battery performance.
Additionally, a built-in Wi-Fi module allows users to monitor system performance remotely, providing real-time updates on energy usage and battery status.
iPower AIO is built for optimal performance, featuring a Pure Sine Wave Output that provides smooth, reliable power, ideal for sensitive electronics. This design ensures stable electricity flow, protecting devices from sudden power fluctuations.
Additionally, the inverter includes a USB On-the-Go Function that enables direct device connectivity, adding convenience for users needing quick and reliable power access.
Offering flexibility in charging options, the inverter is compatible with both utility mains and generator inputs. It is also equipped with an anti-dust kit that shields internal components, enhancing durability and reliability over time. With advanced configuration settings, users can prioritize power sources and set AC/PV output usage timers.
The iPower All-In-One Inverter stands out with its user-centric design, built for durability, flexibility, and convenience. With safety and reliability at its core, the inverter ensures a continuous energy supply for diverse applications.
As with all iPower products, the All-In-One Inverter is designed to deliver maximally. For instance, the iPower Power 5kVA Inverter is a trusted choice for larger power needs, delivering consistent energy for high-consumption applications.
Additionally, the iPower 200Ah Inverter Battery provides extended backup power that complements iPower’s inverters, ensuring long-lasting performance during prolonged outages.
The iPower All-In-One Inverter is now available on Konga at the best price, offering exceptional value for a complete, ready-to-use energy storage solution. Embrace the future of energy with iPower and enjoy seamless power at your fingertips.
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