Nigeria customs warn Nigerians against falling for fake WhatsApp auction scams

Nigeria Customs Warns Public Against Fake WhatsApp Auction Scams

In a recent public advisory issued on October 28, 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) alerted citizens to a growing wave of fraudulent activities involving fake e-auction schemes circulated via WhatsApp.

The warning came in response to reports of scammers impersonating customs officers and promoting bogus auction deals under the guise of official NCS operations.

The NCS identified a specific WhatsApp number, +234 814 732 3739, which has been falsely claiming to represent the agency. These messages often promise “quick purchase” opportunities and discounted goods, luring unsuspecting individuals into sending money or personal information.

The Customs Service categorically stated that this number does not belong to its National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, and emphasized that any communications from it are fraudulent.

To clarify its official communication channels, the NCS noted that Assistant Comptroller Maiwada maintains only one verified Facebook account, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, marked with a blue verification badge, and one official WhatsApp contact, which is not the number used by the scammers.

The agency stressed that no customs officer is authorized to conduct e-auctions or financial transactions through private WhatsApp messages.

The NCS urged the public to remain vigilant and to disregard any auction-related messages received via WhatsApp. Citizens were advised to block such numbers, refrain from sharing personal or financial details, and report suspicious accounts to the appropriate authorities. 

For accurate and verified updates, Nigerians were encouraged to follow the NCS’s official social media platforms, including Facebook (Nigeria Customs Service), Instagram (@customsng), X (@CustomsNG), YouTube (@customsng), and the agency’s website at customs.gov.ng.

The warning also highlighted a broader trend of cyber fraud targeting Nigerians, including incidents where fraudsters have cloned the NCS website and created counterfeit platforms to deceive buyers.

In one notable case, a 59-year-old woman named Rakiyat Musa was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for impersonating a customs officer and allegedly defrauding victims of over ₦34 million. She faced multiple charges including conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The NCS concluded its statement with a call for public awareness and collective action, urging Nigerians to “stay alert, verify before you trust, and share this message widely to protect others from falling victim to these scams”.