The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday, debunked fraudulent messages and videos on social media circles requesting unsuspecting loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses to apply for loans or investment schemes it is purportedly facilitated.

While the CBN, indeed, has several development finance intervention programmes from which different categories of businesses have benefitted (and still benefitting), the statement warned that the apex bank never engages in direct interaction with prospective applicants.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there are clearly spelt out procedures for accessing CBN intervention funds, which are disbursed through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), such as Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs).”

Furthermore, the bank said it does not facilitate investment schemes, warning the public, particular youth and owners of small-scale businesses, “to disregard any video or text message proposing investment schemes or charging them fees on the pretext that their organisations are endorsed by the CBN and therefore would guarantee easy access to CBN loans. These videos and massages are fraudulent and anyone who enters into correspondence with those behind them does so at his or her own risk. The CBN has neither appointed nor accredited any organization to serve as agent on its behalf for the purpose of investment or applying for intervention loans.

“Prospective applicants are therefore advised to approach their respective banks, NIRSAL Micro-Finance Bank or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch nearest to them for clarification on the procedure for accessing any of the CBN-related facility,” the statement added.