The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a public warning regarding fraudulent WhatsApp messages. These messages advertise fake e-auction and “quick purchase” opportunities, falsely claiming affiliation with the service. The NCS advises the public to be vigilant and avoid falling victim to these scams.
In a statement on its official X handle on Tuesday, the service said it had become aware of a WhatsApp number,’ 234 814 732 3739′, impersonating its officers and misleading unsuspecting citizens with false claims of representing the NCS.
‘Please be informed that this number does NOT belong to the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‘The messages and posts circulating from this number are FAKE and fraudulent’, the statement partly read.
It added that the 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 not the number used by the scammers.
The service clarified that ‘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’.
Urging the public to remain cautious, the statement advised Nigerians to ‘ignore and block such numbers’, and ‘not send money or personal information to anyone claiming to represent the NCS through WhatsApp or private messages’.
It further urged citizens to ‘report such accounts to the appropriate authorities immediately’.
For verified updates, the service encouraged members of 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.
The service concluded, ‘Please stay alert, verify before you trust, and share this message widely to protect others from falling victim to these scams’.