EFCC Warns of Rising Cyber Fraud Involving Fake Airline Promos and KYC Scams

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sounded the alarm on a surge in cyber-enabled financial fraud targeting Nigerians through fake airline ticket promotions and deceptive investment schemes aimed at stealing sensitive personal and financial information.

In a statement shared on its official X account on Friday, July 25, 2025, the EFCC exposed a sophisticated scam offering fake 50% discounts on tickets for a prominent foreign airline. 

Victims are lured into paying a small “charity” fee of approximately ₦500 to access these deals. 

The payment, however, acts as a gateway for malware that compromises the victim’s device. Many are also tricked into downloading a fraudulent mobile app, falsely linked to the airline, which harvests banking credentials and other personal data.

The EFCC revealed that stolen funds are funneled through microfinance bank accounts and laundered via cryptocurrency transactions to evade tracing. 

Alongside this, the agency highlighted a related scam involving “Account Suppliers” or “KYC Groups,” where fraudsters pay individuals ₦1,500 to ₦2,000 for personal documents like National Identification Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), and passport photos. 

These documents, resold for up to ₦5,000 on fintech platforms, are used for investment scams and other financial crimes. The EFCC estimates around 12,000 individuals nationwide are involved in supplying such data.

Arrests have been made, and the EFCC is actively working to recover stolen funds. 

The agency warned that these schemes pose significant threats to national security and urged Nigerians to avoid sharing personal information or engaging in suspicious offers. 

“The EFCC remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s financial ecosystem for the benefit of all citizens,” the statement concluded.