The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned the public about fraudulent WhatsApp messages promoting fake e-auction deals and “quick purchase” opportunities falsely linked to the agency.
In a statement on its official X handle on Tuesday, the service identified a WhatsApp number, +234 814 732 3739, that is impersonating its officers to mislead unsuspecting citizens.
“Please be informed that this number does NOT belong to the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service. The messages and posts circulating from this number are FAKE and fraudulent,” the statement said.
The NCS clarified that its National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, has only one verified Facebook account (Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, with a blue tick) and one official WhatsApp contact, which is different from the number used by scammers.
“There is no ongoing auction via WhatsApp, and no individual officer is authorised to conduct e-auction on behalf of the Service through private messages,” the statement added.
The service urged Nigerians to ignore and block suspicious numbers, avoid sharing money or personal information, and report such accounts to the appropriate authorities.
For verified updates, the NCS encouraged the public to follow its official channels: Facebook (Nigeria Customs Service), Instagram (@customsng), X (@CustomsNG), YouTube (@customsng), and its official website: https://customs.gov.ng.
PUNCH Online previously reported that fraudsters often clone the NCS website and other official-looking platforms to deceive unsuspecting buyers.
In a related case, a 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was arraigned before Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Customs officer and obtaining over N34 million under false pretence. She faces charges including conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The NCS concluded by urging the public to “stay alert, verify before you trust, and share this message widely to protect others from falling victim to these scams.”
