The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has cautioned the public about scammers posing as the agency on social media.
Abdullahi Maiwada, its national public relations officer, gave the warning in a statement titled, “Public awareness against fraudsters impersonating Nigeria Customs Service on social media platforms.”
It would be recalled that earlier this year, TimesNow.com.ng reported that the NCS had resumed the electronic auctioning of abandoned and seized cars and other goods that have overstayed in the ports.
But in its statement, the service noted that the impostors advertise fake auctions and deceitful recruitment schemes.
Maiwada stated that fraudulent groups are targeting unsuspecting people on social media, falsely claiming to be associated with the Nigeria Customs Service for auctions and recruitment.
He mentioned that these scammers take advantage of the public’s trust and lack of awareness, advertising fake auctions and bogus recruitment drives as if the service officially sanctioned them.
Maiwada said:
The NCS stated that there is a standard operating procedure (SOP) for disposing of all seized or overtime goods, as outlined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Maiwada stressed that the sole official portal for e-auctions within the NCS is auction.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng.
He also urged the public to verify information exclusively through the official NCS website, customs.gov.ng.
The statement added:
The NCS advised that any suspicious activities be reported to the nearest customs office or through its official communication channels for prompt assistance.
Recently, the customs launched a thorough verification exercise to identify private aircraft improperly imported without required documentation.
In related news, TimesNow.com.ng reported that the NCS had grounded a private jet belonging to a prominent Nigerian bank.
The move signals the commencement of a clampdown on private jet owners in Nigeria who may have imported them without paying import duties.
It was reported that the private jet owners owe about N1.9 billion in import duties.
Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
