The Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 alerted Nigerians over the threat of an Android-based malicious and fraudulent coronavirus ransomware application, which claims to deliver updates on COVID-19 and infections near the user.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement made available by his Special Assistant, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, said the ransomware blocks access to users’ personal data and accounts and threatens to delete them, if the users do not pay US $100 in Bitcoin within forty eight (48) hours.

He said the ransomware app, detected on the website www.coronavirusapp.site,

prompts users to download an Android App purportedly for coronavirus map tracking and heat map visuals.

Mohammed said the development confirmed warnings against cyber criminals seeking to exploit the coronavirus pandemic for nefarious gains.

The minister, therefore, warned the general public against downloading the ransomware app and to seek updates on the COVID-19 pandemic only from the appropriate authorities.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.