The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians to the existence of an Android-based malicious and fraudulent Coronavirus Ransomware application, which claims to provide updates on the virus and

infections near the user.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja Tuesday, by the Minister of Information

and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

He said the Ransomware blocks access to

users' personal data and accounts and threatens deletion, unless users

paid y $100 in Bitcoin within 48 hours.

Mohammed 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, adding that the development confirmed warnings against cyber

criminals seeking to exploit the growing spread of the virus for nefarious gains.

He therefore called on the general public not to download the Ransomware App and to seek updates on the pandemic only from the

appropriate authorities.