Former senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi has revealed that fraudsters hacked his phone and exploited his WhatsApp account to deceive friends into transferring millions of naira to them. The scammers temporarily took control of Afikuyomi’s WhatsApp, sending fraudulent messages to his contacts, requesting funds.
In response to the incident, Afikuyomi immediately reported the hacking to relevant security and regulatory agencies, commending the anti-fraud unit of the police for swift action. The security agents are actively investigating the case, identifying account numbers and details of those involved in collecting the fraudulently obtained money.
Expressing dismay at the lack of due diligence in bank account opening processes, Afikuyomi highlighted that the scammers opened multiple bank accounts without proper security checks. He also raised concerns about the compliance of Over the Top Media Services (OTT) providers with Nigeria’s Data Privacy and Protection Laws.
As a precaution, Afikuyomi suspended the use of his WhatsApp phone number until the investigation is complete. He advised Nigerians to exercise caution when responding to messages from acquaintances to avoid falling victim to scams.
