The Central Bank of Nigeria has “uncovered and aborted” what it described as “a highly sophisticated plot to defraud it by some criminal minded elements,” it said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement in Abuja by the apex bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, “Although preliminary investigations so far have not revealed any accomplices within the CBN, Management has decided to place all key personnel involved in the transaction on suspension.This is to ensure a full and unfettered investigation.”
“This incident has been reported to relevant authorities. The CBN wishes to assure the general public that the security of the bank remains intact,” Mr. Okorafor said in the statement.
He gave no further details.
It was however learnt alleged fruad had to do with some persons acting from Nigeria and Dubai, cloned CBN’s e-mail address and initiated a transaction with the apex bank.
They were able to withdraw about 190,000 US dollars before luck ran out of them.
A credible at the CBN further disclosed that two people have already been arrested in Nigeria in connection with the fraud by the country’s secret police, the Department of State Service (DSS).
