Sh**king Scam: Nigerians Lose Money As Criminals Hijack NIN-SIM Linkage

Sh**king Scam: Nigerians Lose Money As Criminals Hijack NIN-SIM Linkage

The Nigerian policy requiring phone numbers to be linked to National Identification Numbers (NINs) has become a tool for fraudsters, leaving many unsuspecting citizens vulnerable to identity theft.

In January, Nimot Shekoni received a distressing call from an agent representing a well-known loan app, demanding repayment of a loan she never took. Initially dismissing it as a mistake, she soon realized she was a victim of identity theft…….READ MORE 

Throughout the month, the harassment intensified, with persistent calls and threats of public embarrassment. Her attempts to clarify the situation fell on deaf ears.

“It was confusing at first because I had never taken a loan from any app. I even tried explaining, but it was a recorded message they kept playing,” she told PREMIUM TIMES in February.

When the harassment became unbearable, she contacted the loan app’s customer service and was shocked to learn that a loan had been taken using her phone number, which was linked to her NIN.

“It was a mix of emotions—I didn’t know whether to scream or cry. How could someone use my number for a loan without verification?” she lamented.

Only after threatening legal action did the harassment cease. She considers herself lucky, as loan apps are notorious for aggressive debt recovery tactics, including publicly shaming defaulters.

Her case is not unique. Many Nigerians have discovered multiple phone numbers linked to their NINs without consent, exposing them to fraud risks.

Recently, a member of the House of Representatives, Isiaka Ibrahim, revealed on the House floor that four unknown numbers were linked to his NIN without his knowledge.

“In recent weeks, social media has been flooded with reports of fraudsters exploiting loopholes in the system. Just last week, I decided to check my linked numbers and was shocked to find four NINs linked to my Airtel number,” he stated.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), responsible for issuing NINs, insists it is not involved in the linking process. However, lawmakers have directed both the NIMC and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate the breaches.

The Nigerian government mandated the NIN-SIM linkage in 2021 to enhance security and prevent crime. The NCC assured the public that discrepancies in data would prevent unauthorized linkages. However, growing complaints suggest the system has been compromised.

Despite the NCC providing a USSD code (*346#) for users to check their linked numbers, many Nigerians are discovering unauthorized linkages, raising concerns about the security of their identities.

Legal experts warn that individuals whose numbers are misused for criminal activities could face wrongful arrest, as authorities rely on NIN-linked records for tracking suspects.

“This is not just about policy—it’s about people’s lives and legal identities being hijacked,” said lawyer Henry Eniotu.

As lawmakers push for an investigation, Nigerians are left wondering: How many more victims are out there?