The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has alerted the public about a fraudulent social media account falsely claiming to host vehicle auctions in the agency’s name.
The Service described the online scheme as an attempt to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday, the NCS clarified that the alleged auctions are entirely fake and did not originate from the agency. It stressed that vehicle sales are never conducted through unofficial social media platforms and warned the public to exercise caution.
The statement also revealed that images of a Customs officer used to promote the scam are part of an impersonation tactic. The officer has no involvement in the purported auction.
“The perpetrators are exploiting the public’s interest in discounted vehicles to trick victims into paying for non-existent goods,” the NCS noted. The agency reiterated that all legitimate auctions follow established procedures and are announced through official channels.
Members of the public are advised to ignore unsolicited messages or advertisements claiming vehicle sales on social media, refrain from making payments, and report fraudulent accounts for investigation.
The warning comes amid a surge in cyber-enabled scams in Nigeria, with fraudsters increasingly impersonating government institutions.
The NCS confirmed it is collaborating with relevant authorities to track and prosecute those responsible while urging Nigerians to rely solely on verified information from official sources.