In Nigeria today, receiving a scam text or email is a daily occurrence. Whether it’s an SMS claiming to be from your bank or an email promising a job opportunity in Canada, these scams are part of a broader cybercrime economy.
For unsuspecting citizens, the line between legitimate digital communication and a phishing attempt is dangerously thin.
But what happens the moment that message lands in your inbox or phone? How should you respond—and what are the consequences of getting it wrong?
Below is an outline on what Nigerians should do when confronted with scam texts or emails.
What Should You Do?
Knowing what to do when a suspicious message lands in your inbox or on your phone isn’t just helpful; it’s critical.
One wrong click can lead to emptied bank accounts, stolen identities, or devastating psychological consequences. Below are essential steps to take if you receive a scam text or email in Nigeria.
1. Do Not Respond or Click on Any Link
Your first instinct may be to engage, especially if the message appears to come from a known source like GTBank, NIRSAL, or DHL Nigeria. But interaction, even out of curiosity or anger, plays into the fraudster’s strategy.
Most scam messages contain embedded malware, phishing links, or tactics meant to validate your contact information. The moment you click or reply, the sender knows you’re active. This often leads to escalated targeting, including follow-up messages that are more personalised, more convincing, and more dangerous.
What’s more, malicious links can lead to counterfeit websites that harvest your passwords or inject spyware into your device, particularly if your phone or browser lacks updated security patches. Even seemingly harmless PDFs or documents can be traps.
2. Take Screenshots and Secure Evidence
While deleting the message seems like the obvious next step, it’s important to document the scam attempt. This means taking clear screenshots that show:
- The sender’s name, number, or email address
- The time and date of receipt
- The full content of the message
- Any link or attachment included
This evidence serves three purposes. First, it supports you if financial loss occurs and you decide to pursue legal redress. Second, it helps Nigerian authorities and cybersecurity platforms track patterns and trace origin points.
Third, it can aid public education, particularly when shared responsibly within community forums or awareness groups.
3. Report the Scam to the Right Authorities
A single scam report may seem insignificant, but aggregated data is the backbone of cybercrime investigations. In Nigeria, you can report scam messages and phishing attempts through the following trusted channels:
- EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission): Use the “Red Alert” form on efcc.gov.ng
- Scamwatch Nigeria: Submit digital evidence through scamwatch.ng
- NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission): Use SMS code ‘7726’ (SPAM) to report suspicious phone numbers directly
- Your Bank’s Fraud Unit: Most banks offer dedicated email and WhatsApp lines for fraud reports
By reporting, you also reduce the chance of others falling victim to the same message, particularly if the scam is part of a wider campaign.
4. Alert Your Financial Institution and Change Affected Credentials
If the scam email or text was impersonating a bank or service you use and especially if you responded or clicked a link, contact your bank immediately.
Most Nigerian banks offer hotlines, mobile app chatbots, or secure in-branch escalation processes to block suspicious activity.
You should also:
- Change your email passwords
- Reset online banking login details
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) where possible
Scammers often test credentials on multiple platforms. For instance, a stolen Gmail password might be used to access your Paystack dashboard, Bet9ja account, or MTN mobile money profile.
5. Educate Others and Strengthen Your Cyber Hygiene
Scams thrive in silence. One of the most powerful things you can do after receiving a scam message is to inform others, especially the elderly and those unfamiliar with phishing tactics.
You should also take steps to harden your defences:
- Avoid using the same password across platforms
- Do not save banking passwords in browsers
- Install reliable antivirus software
- Keep all apps and operating systems updated
- Avoid third-party financial apps that are not CBN-approved
Scammers don’t just prey on ignorance, they rely on it. By turning your experience into a teachable moment, you reduce the number of future victims and weaken the scammer’s playbook.
Vigilance Is No Longer Optional
In a digital-first economy where mobile banking, remote work, and online applications dominate daily life, scam emails and texts are now a threat to national security, public trust, and individual well-being.
Whether you’re a student receiving a too-good-to-be-true scholarship link, or a business owner receiving an invoice from an unfamiliar address, the first moment of interaction is the most important.
Don’t click. Don’t reply. Report it. And educate someone else. Because in the fight against cyber fraud in Nigeria, awareness is your first line of defence, and silence is the scammer’s greatest ally.
This story was first published by Strategy Innovations Hub.
