Loan Shark Contacts Nigerian Man Who Did Not Borrow Money, Threatens to Debit His Account Using BVN

A Nigerian man recently shared a troubling encounter with a loan shark who threatened to debit his account using his Bank Verification Number (BVN), despite the man never borrowing money from them. The man, identified as Arojinle on X (formerly Twitter), recounted the incident that began with an unexpected phone call.

Arojinle explained that the loan shark contacted him, claiming he was a guarantor for someone who had borrowed money and failed to repay it. This came as a shock to Arojinle, who had no knowledge of the borrower or the loan. The caller was insistent and aggressive, using his phone number to trace him and issue the threats.

In his post, Arojinle detailed the unsettling experience: “Why would these people message me about someone I don’t know? So, I wanted to find out. I replied, ‘Yes,’ and they sent me a message saying the person borrowed money and used my number as a guarantor. You people did not tell me I can just borrow money with someone’s number.”

Confused and concerned, Arojinle decided to engage with the loan shark to understand the situation better. The loan shark claimed that since Arojinle’s phone number was used as a guarantor, he was now responsible for the debt. They further threatened to use his BVN, a unique identifier for bank customers in Nigeria, to withdraw the money directly from his account if the debt was not settled.

The implication that his BVN could be used to access his bank account without his consent alarmed Arojinle. BVNs are critical to the banking security framework in Nigeria, designed to protect customers from fraud and unauthorized transactions. The threat posed by the loan shark indicated a potential breach of security protocols, raising questions about how the loan shark obtained his BVN and whether they had the capability to execute their threat.

Arojinle’s story highlights a growing issue in Nigeria, where loan sharks exploit personal information to intimidate and coerce individuals. Many people have reported similar experiences, where loan sharks use aggressive tactics, including contacting friends and family members of the borrower, to pressure them into repaying loans.

In the comments section of his post, many users shared their own experiences and offered advice. Some suggested that Arojinle report the incident to the authorities and his bank to ensure his account was protected. Others warned about the dangers of sharing personal information and emphasized the importance of safeguarding one’s BVN and other sensitive data.

The incident underscores the need for stricter regulations and enforcement against predatory lending practices in Nigeria. It also highlights the importance of public awareness regarding the risks associated with sharing personal information and the need for vigilance in protecting one’s financial identity.

Arojinle’s unsettling encounter serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers lurking in the lending industry and the lengths to which unscrupulous lenders will go to recover their money. His story is a reminder to remain cautious and informed about one’s financial dealings and to take immediate action if confronted with similar threats.