Customs Warn Nigerians Against Fake Online Recruitment, Auction Scams
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has alerted the public to a surge in online scams involving fake recruitment and auction schemes falsely linked to the agency.
Raising the alarm during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, warned Nigerians to stay vigilant and avoid falling prey to fraudsters impersonating top customs officials.
“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 said.
He emphasised that the NCS does not conduct any form of recruitment or auction via social media, describing such claims as “criminal acts aimed at tarnishing the service’s reputation and defrauding innocent Nigerians.”
As part of its crackdown efforts, the NCS recently arrested one Mr. Okoli Okana Boniface for allegedly impersonating an aide to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and attempting to manipulate the recruitment process.
“The case was promptly reported and thoroughly investigated by the Customs Police Unit. Findings confirmed it was a calculated attempt to compromise the integrity of the recruitment exercise,” he said.
Maiwada said the arrest demonstrates the agency’s commitment to upholding credibility, adding that “further investigations are underway to uncover similar cases.”
He urged citizens to verify any recruitment or auction information only through the NCS’s official communication platforms.
“We advise the public to disregard messages or offers from unverified sources and to rely solely on our verified platforms for accurate information.
“The NCS remains committed to identifying, exposing, and prosecuting those who seek to compromise our operations through deceit,” he concluded.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
