Nigeria News (Standard)
Visa Identifies ₦1.5trn Scam Surge as AI-Driven Fraud Hits Nigerian Consumers in 2026 Report
Payment security gains push fraudsters to exploit social engineering; Visa urges banks and merchants to adopt AI defences
Payment security gains push fraudsters to exploit social engineering; Visa urges banks and merchants to adopt AI defences
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has reported a significant spike in scam-related payment fraud targeting Nigerian and international consumers, with losses nearing $1 billion (about ₦1.5 trillion) between July and December 2025. The development was disclosed in Visa’s mid-year 2026 Biannual Threats Report, released on Monday.
According to the report, while network-level security measures for digital payments have become more robust across Nigeria and other regions, criminals are increasingly shifting tactics—relying on artificial intelligence (AI) tools and sophisticated social engineering scams to deceive individuals into authorising payments themselves. This marks a move away from hacking technical systems towards exploiting human trust.
Visa revealed that fraud involving device tokens dropped by 9.6% compared to the previous year, demonstrating the effectiveness of stronger authentication methods. However, scams have now overtaken all other forms of payment fraud, with criminals impersonating reputable brands or institutions to trick victims into making legitimate-seeming transactions under false pretences.
Paul Fabara, Chief Risk and Client Services Officer at Visa, said in a written statement: “Payments at a network level continue to get safer, but threats are evolving faster than ever. Criminals are increasingly targeting people rather than technology, using deception, urgency and AI-enabled tools to exploit trust. Addressing this shift requires continuous innovation at the network level and close collaboration across banks, merchants, policymakers and the broader payments ecosystem.”
The report also notes that global ransomware attacks rose by 26% within the same period, though only 23% of victims paid ransoms—a record low—suggesting improved resilience by institutions and less willingness to pay when data may still be leaked regardless of payment.
Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Cluster Head for Visa West Africa, commented: “The rapid adoption of AI has fundamentally lowered the barrier to entry for fraud. What once required deep technical skill can now be executed with a prompt. That reality makes intelligence-driven defences and coordinated action across the ecosystem more critical than ever.”
Visa advised Nigerian banks, fintech firms and merchants to invest in both AI-powered detection systems and ongoing consumer education to stay ahead of these evolving threats. The company emphasised that early intelligence-sharing between stakeholders is key to reducing losses before scams reach end-users.
The full mid-year 2026 Biannual Threats Report is available through Visa’s official website.
Nigeria News (Standard)
MTN Subscribers in Lagos Audit Lines After ₦100 Deductions Spark Viral Outrage
No official statement from telecom giant as thousands use NCC codes to block unsolicited services, citing widespread billing fears
No official statement from telecom giant as thousands use NCC codes to block unsolicited services, citing widespread billing fears
Thousands of MTN Nigeria subscribers in Lagos and other major cities have begun urgently checking their mobile lines following widespread claims of unauthorised ₦100 airtime deductions, which surfaced online on Monday. The panic was triggered by a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), where a user alleged being enrolled into a paid subscription without consent, leading to a midnight debit for a service named ‘Mega Wins – Slot Daily.’
The incident unfolded after the subscriber posted screenshots showing an SMS confirmation of the unsolicited service activation just after midnight, with no immediate charge but an auto-renewal scheduled for the next day. Twenty-four hours later, a second SMS allegedly confirmed the deduction of ₦100 from their airtime balance. As the post gained traction, thousands of MTN users across Lagos and beyond began running audits on their accounts, sharing similar experiences and urging others to check for hidden value-added services (VAS) that may be silently draining their airtime.
This development comes at a time when telecom users in Nigeria are grappling with rising costs and concerns over data transparency. The claim that such automated deductions—if scaled across millions—could generate massive undisclosed revenue has heightened public anxiety. However, as at Tuesday morning, there is no independent evidence that MTN’s system is automatically subscribing users without consent, and MTN has yet to issue any official response addressing the viral thread or confirming any system breach.
Industry guidelines from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) provide remedies for affected subscribers. Customers can dial *305# on their MTN line to view and cancel all active third-party subscriptions instantly. In addition, texting ‘STOP’ to 2442 activates the full Do-Not-Disturb (DND) mode, blocking all promotional subscription requests and minimising accidental charges. Consumer rights advocates say these measures are effective if consistently used but stress that operators must do more to ensure transparency.
While many subscribers continue to share screenshots of successful opt-outs via social media, calls persist for MTN and other network operators to clarify how such activations occur and what safeguards exist against future occurrences. As at press time, opposition parties and consumer groups have not released official statements, but pressure is mounting on regulatory authorities to enforce stricter oversight of third-party billing practices within Nigeria’s telecom sector.
How To Cancel Auto-Renewal on MTN Nigeria (2026)
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/mtn-unauthorized-deduction-check-code-2026062410204052442
Nigeria News (Standard)
Jigawa Opposition Divisions Hand APC Advantage Ahead of 2027 Elections
Analysts say fragmented PDP, NNPP, and LP camps could ease Governor Namadi’s re-election bid in North-West state
Analysts say fragmented PDP, NNPP, and LP camps could ease Governor Namadi’s re-election bid in North-West state
The All Progressives Congress (APC) appears set to maintain its hold on Jigawa State as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace, with divisions among opposition parties threatening their chances of mounting a credible challenge. Political observers in Jigawa, North-West Nigeria, say the lack of a unified front between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Labour Party (LP) is likely to favour the ruling party.
Recent political developments show that opposition parties have failed to agree on joint candidates or a merger plan, despite repeated calls from some stakeholders. This ongoing fragmentation has created an opening for Governor Umar Namadi and APC leaders to consolidate their support base across the state’s 27 local government areas. In the last election cycle, similar disunity contributed to APC’s landslide victories at both state and federal levels in Jigawa.
Political analysts note that Jigawa has historically leaned towards the APC since 2015, but pockets of PDP and NNPP influence remain in places like Hadejia and Birnin Kudu. However, without a coordinated strategy or coalition, opposition votes are expected to be split—mirroring trends seen nationally since the emergence of LP as a third force. “If things continue like this, it will be difficult for any opposition party to unseat APC,” one analyst observed.
Neither PDP nor NNPP officials have released formal statements on alliance talks as at Wednesday. Meanwhile, APC chieftains have welcomed the situation, describing it as proof of their party’s grassroots strength in Jigawa. An attempt by civil society groups to broker dialogue among opposition leaders reportedly stalled due to disagreements over candidate selection and power-sharing arrangements.
With less than a year before party primaries commence nationwide, political watchers say only significant realignment or coalition-building can alter current projections in Jigawa. The next few months will determine whether aggrieved opposition members can close ranks or if APC will retain its upper hand heading into 2027.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Neymar Returns as Brazil Face Scotland in World Cup Decider at Miami
Coach Ancelotti confirms star forward’s fitness; Brazil seek knockout qualification as Morocco threaten Group C lead
Coach Ancelotti confirms star forward’s fitness; Brazil seek knockout qualification as Morocco threaten Group C lead
Brazil forward Neymar is set to make his first appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday as the five-time champions take on Scotland in their final Group C match at Miami. The crucial fixture will decide whether Brazil secure a place in the last 32, with both teams eyeing progression to the knockout round.
The Brazilian squad, led by Coach Carlo Ancelotti, will be looking to bounce back after a 1-1 draw against Morocco earlier in the tournament. That result means Brazil must beat Scotland to guarantee top spot in Group C, as Morocco are favoured to win against already-eliminated Haiti. A slip-up could see Morocco overtake Brazil, making the path to the latter stages more difficult for Ancelotti’s side.
Scotland, meanwhile, are hoping to make history by qualifying for the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time. The encounter is expected to be fiercely contested, especially with the match being played in Miami, United States – a venue that has seen large crowds turn out for World Cup fixtures so far.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar had recovered from injury and would be available for selection. “He can play, he’s doing well, he trained very well. I’m very happy with him,” said Ancelotti. The coach added that Neymar’s experience and understanding of the game would be crucial for the younger players in the squad. Neymar’s return comes as winger Raphinha remains sidelined for two weeks due to injury.
With six matches scheduled per day as the tournament enters its next phase, fans and analysts alike are closely watching how group dynamics will affect traditional favourites like Brazil. Should Brazil fail to defeat Scotland and Morocco win their game, Brazil’s route through the competition could become significantly more challenging.
Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/football/brazil-vs-scotland-neymar-set-for-first-world-cup-appearance/
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