The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned the public against online scams promoting fake recruitment and auction offers falsely attributed to the service.
The service also advised the public to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the national public relations officer of the service, told journalists in Abuja that NCS is not conducting recruitment or carrying out auctions via social media.
“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 described such actions as “criminal acts aimed at tarnishing the service’s reputation and defrauding innocent Nigerians”
Maiwada announced that the NCS recently arrested a suspect Okoli Okana Boniface, for allegedly manipulating the recruitment process while falsely claiming to be an aide to Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady.
“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.
He noted that the arrest was evidence of the service’s commitment to upholding the credibility of its operations, reaffirming the NCS’s zero-tolerance policy on fraud.
“Further investigations are underway to uncover similar cases,” he said
He urged Nigerians to verify all information related to recruitment and auctions through the service’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 added.
“The NCS remains committed to identifying, exposing, and prosecuting those who seek to compromise our operations through deceit.”
