Scammers have rapidly exploited Nigeria's N50,000 cash relief programme for poor and vulnerable households, creating fraudulent platforms that closely resemble official channels despite safeguards designed to protect beneficiaries. The scheme, announced as a monthly payout for an unspecified duration, targets desperate Nigerians amid rising poverty, making them vulnerable to deception. Within less than a week of the announcement and the unveiling of access routes, fake platforms emerged to trap unsuspecting citizens, with many victims losing savings exceeding the N50,000 on offer.
The digital infrastructure designed to simplify access has become a weakness exploited by fraudsters. The scheme uses electronic fund collection and eligibility confirmation through designated codes, but scammers have weaponised these channels by creating fake registration portals, publishing fabricated beneficiary testimonials, requesting banking and personal details, and setting up WhatsApp sharing and referral traps. One documented victim suffered repeated withdrawals from her account after clicking a WhatsApp link purporting to lead to the grant. She reportedly lost more than N50,000 and had her Telegram account hacked after being redirected to join a Telegram bot.
The victim's account reveals how the scam operates. She initially ignored repeated WhatsApp messages containing a link until a friend encouraged her to try it, claiming to know someone who had received payment. After clicking the link and providing her bank account number, repeated debits followed. The experience has left even eligible citizens sceptical about claiming the fund for fear of being defrauded, potentially preventing deserving beneficiaries from accessing genuine assistance.
The Federal Government has clarified the legitimate process to prevent confusion. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, stated that only qualified beneficiaries identified through the National Social Register and verified national identity records will be contacted. Citizens do not need to apply or pay to be considered. Approved payment providers include ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint. Doro explained that beneficiaries will receive SMS notifications and must reply 'YES' to confirm participation before a mobile wallet linked to their phone numbers and National Identification Numbers is created and credited with the grant.
The minister warned against messages from unauthorised senders and urged citizens to contact the programme's helpline when doubtful about notifications. OPay users can verify eligibility through the USSD code 95520#. The payment process comprises four steps, with beneficiaries able to withdraw through point-of-sale agents, banks, or spend directly from the wallet. For struggling households relying on the grant to bridge expenditure gaps, falling victim to scams while attempting to claim the fund could prove financially devastating.