The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned gullible Nigerians, notably millions of Nigerian telecom customers, that the viral “Davido Airtime and Data Giveaway” scheme is a hoax.
The telecom regulator mentioned in a statement released and approved by its Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, that the scheme is apparently broadcast nationally to scam innocently members of the public, especially millions of Nigerian telecom consumers, by capitalizing on David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido’s benevolence.
Davido, a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, recently stated that he will donate 250 million nairas to orphanages around the country.
However, taking advantage of Davido’s generosity, a bunch of con artists created a viral advertorial named “Davido Airtime and Data Giveaway,” stating that Davido is “giving out free 5K Airtime and 10GB Internet data of all networks” to commemorate his birthday.
According to the Commission, the general people are urged to hurry and grab the gift by clicking on links that reportedly connect them to network sites where they will be credited with airtime and data. This is a rip-off.
It also warned telecom customers not to fall for the ad or any other similar ruse, describing that the ads are just that: social engineering scam designed to obtain people’s Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDNs), a number used to identify a phone number internationally and other personal information, which fraudsters can then use to defraud unsuspecting telecom customers and members of the public.
For the sake of clarification, the MSISDN is simply a cellphone’s entire phone number, along with other protocol details.
This is a one-of-a-kind number that identifies subscribers/owners in GSM and other mobile networks. As a result, it is sufficient to mention that any opportunistic individual or dishonest hacker can utilize the number and associated protocol to compromise the privacy of the number’s true owners via identity theft and other schemes.
As a result, the NCC reaffirms its prior advice to telecom customers to exercise caution and not to relax their guard. If a promotion or deal appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
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