By Peter Omopo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has cautioned the public against falling victim to fraudulent WhatsApp messages advertising fake e-auction deals and “quick purchase” opportunities falsely linked to the service.
In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the NCS exposed a WhatsApp number — +234 814 732 3739 — allegedly impersonating customs officers and deceiving unsuspecting citizens under the guise of offering legitimate auction opportunities.
“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 Service declared.
According to the statement, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, has only one verified Facebook account — Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada (blue tick verified) — and one official WhatsApp contact, which is not the number being used by the scammers.
The NCS reiterated that no officer or individual is authorised to conduct auctions or facilitate transactions on behalf of the Service through WhatsApp or private messages.
“There is no ongoing auction via WhatsApp, and no individual officer is authorised to conduct e-auctions privately,” the statement emphasised.
Citizens were urged to block and report such fraudulent accounts, and to refrain from sending money or personal details to anyone claiming to represent the NCS through informal communication channels.
For authentic updates, the Service advised the public to rely solely on its verified platforms — Facebook (Nigeria Customs Service), Instagram (@customsng), X (@CustomsNG), YouTube (@customsng), and the official website (www.customs.gov.ng).
The statement concluded with a strong warning:
“Stay alert, verify before you trust, and share this message widely to protect others from falling victim to these scams.”
Meanwhile, reports of fraudsters cloning the Customs website and impersonating officials to defraud citizens have continued to surface.
In one recent case, a 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating a Customs officer and obtaining ₦34.1 million from unsuspecting victims under false pretence.
Musa faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The NCS reiterated its commitment to public awareness and digital vigilance as part of ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect Nigerians from online fraud.
