Lagos – Mrs Regha Onajite, the Executive Secretary, Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (EPPAN), has advised commercial banks to unify their efforts in fighting online fraud and cybercrime in the country.
Onajite gave the advise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to her, the activities of fraudsters and cyber criminals ought to be checkmated, to encourage bank customers to transact business online without difficulties.
Onajite said that banks needed to put in place a risk information framework on electronic payment, to encourage their customers to operate more on online platforms, to boost government’s cashless policy.
‘’Electronic payment is a vital platform, where commercial banks must unify their efforts to curb the menace of online fraud and cybercrime.
‘’The banking sector has to encourage their members and create a risk information framework to checkmate illegal activities of online fraudsters.’’
According to her, more than 50 per cent of bank customers are into online trades involving electronic payment.
Onajite further advised commercial banks to embark on public sensitisation, to educate customers on banking risk information on PoS, ATM and other online payment platforms.
The secretary also urged banks to create a 24-hour complaint desk, where customers could lodge complaints on any online fraud and cybercrime.
Cybercrime Act 2015 stipulates that hackers found guilty of unlawfully accessing a computer system or network are liable to a fine of up to N10 million or five-year imprisonment, depending on the purpose of the hacking, NAN reports.
The same punishment also applies to Internet fraudsters who perpetuate their acts either by sending electronic messages, or accessing and using data stored on computer systems. (NAN)