The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sounded the alarm over an escalating wave of online fraud involving fraudulent recruitment and auction offers falsely linked to the agency.
This warning comes amid a renewed effort by the service to curb the activities of scammers exploiting the names of senior customs officials to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, raised serious concerns about the increase in fraudulent schemes, especially on social media. He noted that impersonators are targeting vulnerable citizens by creating fake accounts using the identities of key figures within the service.
“We have observed a disturbing rise in fake accounts bearing the names and images of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the National PRO, and even retired senior officers, all falsely claiming to offer jobs and auction opportunities,” Maiwada revealed.
He made it clear that the NCS does not offer employment or auction services through social media, stressing that any such claim is purely deceptive and designed to exploit innocent individuals. According to him, these fraudulent activities are not only criminal but also serve to damage the reputation of the service.
In a recent development, the Customs Police Unit arrested one Mr. Okoli Okana Boniface for allegedly attempting to manipulate the recruitment process by claiming to be an aide to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The case, which was thoroughly investigated, was cited by Maiwada as an example of the agency’s unwavering stance against any compromise to the integrity of its operations.
“This arrest is a strong indication of our resolve to maintain transparency in all our activities,” Maiwada stated. He added that further investigations are ongoing to identify more individuals who may be involved in similar fraudulent acts.
He urged the public to exercise caution and verify any information related to recruitment or auctions through the NCS’s official communication channels. “We advise the public to disregard messages or offers from unverified sources and to rely solely on our verified platforms for accurate information,” he advised.
Maiwada concluded by reaffirming the NCS’s commitment to exposing and prosecuting anyone found guilty of attempting to undermine the credibility of the service through deceit and impersonation.
What you should know
The Nigeria Customs Service has warned against a spike in online scams impersonating top officials to offer fake jobs and auctions. The agency recently arrested an individual posing as a presidential aide and emphasized that all legitimate information can only be obtained through its official channels.
