eNaira app no longer on Google Play Store as CBN warns of fake social media handle

GOOGLE Play Store on Wednesday removed the eNaira wallet app barely 48 hours after the launch of the wallet. 

This was even as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned the members of the public about the antics of fraudsters trying to defraud innocent people through fake eNaira social media handles. 

Attempts by Nigerian Tribune correspondent to download the eNaira wallet on Wednesday evening were futile as Google Play Store kept stating “We’re sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server.” 

Neither Google Play Store nor the CBN give any reason for the development. 

However, the eNaira Speed wallet on Apple App Store was still active as of Wednesday evening, although the rating, at 2.6 out of 5, was just average. 

Some of the subscribers expressed their displeasure in the review session of the Apple App Store. 

A subscriber, Dope Oloyeliti, wrote on Monday, October 25 thus: “The big question is, what’s the point of this app. So I tried to register and after telling me there’s issues verifying my BVN I lost interest. Was hoping to learn if there’s any advantage to the enaira by downloading the app. But looks so much like there really isn’t. Given the fact that the Nigerian government has let us down in more ways than we can count, this didn’t come as much of a surprise. Will I give a better review next time, if the app works well for others that download it and they give a good review, maybe.” 

Another review from Abbey 002 on the same day goes thus: “Disappointed. How can we get things right in this country? After entering all fields to open the account, I was told my first name does not match with record. No problems, I entered it again. The next prompt was that I should contact customer support, that too many attempts from same BVN. Just two attempts have become too many.” 

Meanwhile, the apex bank, on Wednesday, warned members of the public to be wary of conmen who might want to dupe them through fake eNaira social media handle. 

The bank, in a statement signed by Osita Nwanisobi , its Director of Corporate Communications, said, “Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, October 25, 2021, the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the bank.” 

According to the statement, the fake social media handle and the impostors have been posting messages “related to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 billion eNaira currency.” 

It added, “These impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting members of the public through the links attached to their messages for application to obtain eNaira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion eNaira currency. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central of Nigeria (CBN) is not the owner of that Twitter handle (@ enaira_cbdc) and indeed suspended its presence on Twitter following the Federal Government’s ban. In effect, the bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens. To this end, members of the public are hereby warned to be wary of fraudsters who have resolved to take advantage of unsuspecting Nigerians.” 

The statement urged members of the public to always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: www.enaira.gov.ng or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them. 

It gave the current official social media handles of the eNaira as www.facebook. com/myenaira; www.instagram.com/myenaira and www.youtube.com/myenaira “Any suspicious activity by members of the public should be reported to the CBN using helpdesk@ enaira.gov.ng or to relevant law enforcement agencies,” the CBN added.

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