Wema Bank suspends Telegram account over rising impersonation fraud
By Aboki Forex —
Wema Bank Plc has suspended its presence on Telegram after uncovering a growing number of fraudulent accounts impersonating the bank. The lender announced the move in a notice to customers on Monday, June 29, 2026.
The bank warned customers not to interact with any Telegram account claiming to represent Wema Bank or its digital banking platform, ALAT. It said neither Wema Bank nor ALAT operates an official Telegram account.
According to the bank, routine security checks revealed a sharp increase in fake Telegram accounts targeting customers. These accounts trick users into revealing sensitive information or making fraudulent transactions.
“Our routine checks and security sweeps have shown a spike in the rate of customers falling victim to scam accounts and fraudsters using fake Telegram accounts,” the bank said. “As part of our ongoing efforts to proactively protect your interests, we want to remind you that Wema Bank and ALAT are not on Telegram.”
The bank urged customers to ignore any Telegram account pretending to represent the institution. It also advised them to avoid initiating contact via the messaging platform.
This suspension follows a similar move earlier this month. Wema Bank temporarily halted communication through its X (formerly Twitter) accounts due to rising impersonation and fraud cases. Customers were advised to avoid interacting with the bank’s “Wema” and “ALAT” accounts on the platform until further notice.
The repeated actions highlight the growing challenge Nigerian banks face in combating digital fraud on social media platforms.