Nigerians awaiting the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) payment are receiving text messages claiming that funds have been released.
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Screenshots sighted by Nigeria Startup News show messages from senders identified as DHFDUS, AROSKF, SUPPORT NG, TECHXONG and TecaXSA. Some claim that ₦50,000 or other amounts have been successfully released, while another says recipients have been selected for ₦500,000 under NERSI.
The messages contain links, including shortened bit.ly addresses, and ask recipients to click to transfer money to a C-wallet or update their profiles. One message also carries a gambling advertisement.
However, the screenshots do not establish that the Federal Government approved or released the amounts stated. The sender names and links are not evidence of official NERSI notifications. The claims also differ from the programme’s stated ₦50,000 relief payment.
NERSI beneficiaries are selected through official records and verification. The payment is free. Beneficiaries should not pay agents or share bank details, PINs or one-time passwords (OTPs).
What Nigerians should do
Do not click the links or provide personal or banking information. Anyone with an official payment confirmation should follow instructions from the recognised payment provider or contact the NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222. Delete and report unsolicited messages. Do not trust these unsolicited payment messages.
