Seven online crimes you must avoid, IGP warns Nigerians

The police chief warns that lending bank accounts and SIM cards for suspicious transactions, sharing intimate images without consent and spreading false information could lead to prosecution.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned Nigerians that activities such as hacking private accounts, online impersonation, cyberbullying, circulating false information and facilitating financial fraud could attract criminal prosecution.

Disu urged citizens to exercise caution online, verify information before sharing it and avoid allowing others to use their bank accounts or SIM cards for suspicious transactions.

He gave the warning in Abuja during the 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), themed “Towards a Resilient Cyberspace: Think Before You Click.”

According to the police chief, many people become involved in cybercrime through seemingly harmless online activities without understanding their potential legal consequences.

“Many Nigerians do not wake up to commit cybercrime. They stumble into it through small things done casually,” he said.

Citing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended, Disu identified unauthorised access to another person’s phone, WhatsApp, email or social media account as conduct that could constitute a criminal offence.

He also warned against creating fake accounts using another person’s identity or photographs, sending threatening messages and knowingly spreading false information capable of causing panic or endangering lives.

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The IGP said distributing another person’s intimate photographs or videos without consent could also lead to prosecution, noting that offences involving children were particularly serious.

Disu cautioned Nigerians against lending their bank accounts or SIM cards to individuals who want to receive money without explaining its source or purpose.

He warned that accounts used to facilitate fraudulent transactions could expose their holders to investigation and possible prosecution.

The police chief also identified fake payment alerts and receipts, as well as the fraudulent use of other people’s Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), National Identification Numbers (NINs) and card details, as potential forms of financial fraud, forgery or other cybercrime offences.

He stressed that ignorance of the law would not automatically excuse criminal conduct, adding that individuals who knowingly aided, encouraged or conspired with cybercriminals could also face legal consequences.

“The penalties include imprisonment and heavy fines. Your thumb is powerful; one tap can build a life or ruin one. So before you post, pause. Before you forward, verify. Before you lend, think,” he said.

Beyond individual online behaviour, Disu called for a proactive approach to cybersecurity, urging security agencies and other stakeholders to identify digital threats before they cause harm.

He said Nigeria’s increasing dependence on digital platforms for financial transactions, public services, business and communication had exposed citizens and institutions to fraud, identity theft, data breaches, extortion and other cyber-enabled crimes.

According to him, effective cybersecurity requires intelligence-led policing, threat analysis, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and timely information sharing.

“We must move from incident response to threat anticipation, from reactive investigation to proactive disruption, from analysing yesterday’s attacks to preparing for tomorrow’s,” he said.

He, however, emphasised that cybersecurity operations must be guided by reliable intelligence, human oversight, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Disu described NPF-NCCC personnel as guardians of Nigeria’s digital frontier, urging the centre to strengthen its capacity to investigate cybercrime, preserve digital evidence, assist victims and disrupt criminal networks.

The IGP also called on banks, fintech companies, payment service providers and telecommunications operators to improve internal controls and address potential insider threats.

He identified compromised credentials, collusion, abuse of privileged access, negligence and weak oversight as potential vulnerabilities that could facilitate cyber-enabled financial crimes.

He recommended stronger access controls, employee screening, separation of duties, transaction monitoring, internal audits and independent oversight.

Disu clarified that the warning was not an accusation against employees in those sectors but a call for greater accountability and effective safeguards.

He said the police cybercrime centre would continue collaborating with regulators and financial intelligence agencies to support lawful investigations into suspected cyber-enabled financial crimes.