The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has disassociated itself from the actions of about 12,000 Nigerian youths allegedly involved in selling sensitive personal data including National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to fintech institutions across the country.
This follows a disclosure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, revealing a large-scale identity fraud scheme. According to the EFCC, the perpetrators operate nationwide, enticing victims with between N1,500 and N2,000 to hand over copies of their personal details. These are then resold to fintech platforms for around N5,000 and used to create fraudulent investment and financial accounts.
The EFCC noted that the actors call themselves “Account Suppliers” or “KYC Group,” and that the scheme is now under investigation, with some arrests and recoveries already made.
Reacting to the development, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, released a statement via the commission’s official Facebook page, distancing NIMC from any liability. He emphasized that the Commission had previously warned citizens not to share their NIN or related information with unauthorized persons or entities.
“The NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement,” the statement read. It added that any NIN submitted for services must be properly verified before access is granted.
Adegoke described the trend as a serious security concern with grave consequences for victims and urged Nigerians to take personal data protection seriously. The Commission also advised the public to use the NINAuth app available on the App Store and Google Play Store to control and secure their data.
Meanwhile, the EFCC cautioned Nigerians against becoming “Account Donors” under any guise, stressing that such actions not only enable fraud but also pose a threat to national security. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the nation’s financial space and urged vigilance from the public.
