An unlicensed website, Direct Verify, is illegally selling Nigerians’ NIN and BVN data, raising major privacy and security concerns.
A private website, Direct Verify, has been found to illegally access the National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and personal data of Nigerians without authorisation from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
An investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) revealed that Direct Verify, which is not listed among NIMC’s licensed Front-End Partners, allows users to retrieve sensitive details such as full names, addresses, dates of birth, photographs, and phone numbers. With just N150 and a phone number, registered users can obtain NIN-linked information. BVN retrieval is also available for N1,350.
The website further offers verification of voter cards, international passports, CAC records, driver’s licences, and vehicle plate numbers.
Although lacking social media presence, the platform promotes a WhatsApp group for “agents.” Analysts warn that such operations expose Nigerians to identity theft, fraud, and privacy breaches. Authorities have yet to confirm whether an official probe has been launched into the data breach.