Amid all the other woes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, there is also the problem of fraudsters trying to profit from people’s fear.
The Federal Government is urging the Nigerians public to the existence of an Android-based malicious and fraudulent coronavirus ransomware application, which claims to provide updates on the virus and infections near the user and protect yourself, many of which apply to internet users.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the ransomware blocks access to users’ personal data and accounts and threatens to delete, except users pay $100 in Bitcoin within 48 hours.
The statement signed by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President, Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, said: “The ransomware app, detected on the website http://www.coronavirusapp.site/, prompts users to download an Android App purportedly for coronavirus map tracking and heat map visuals.”
The minister called on the general public not to download the app and to seek updates on the pandemic only from appropriate authorities.
