Nigeria Customs warns the public about WhatsApp scams pretending to offer vehicle auctions.
The agency says fake officers are using its name to deceive unsuspecting citizens.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has cautioned the public against scams circulating on WhatsApp claiming to offer e-auction deals and urgent vehicle purchase opportunities linked to the service.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 28, the NCS said it had discovered a WhatsApp number, “+234 814 732 3739,” falsely posing as a customs officer and tricking citizens into believing it represents the agency.
The service warned that the messages originating from the number are fraudulent, noting that scammers are using the name of its National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, to mislead potential victims.
According to the statement, Maiwada has only one verified Facebook account and a single official WhatsApp line, neither of which is connected to the number used in the scam. The NCS stressed that it does not conduct auctions or financial transactions through private messaging platforms.
“There is no ongoing auction on WhatsApp,” the service said, urging Nigerians to ignore, block, and report suspicious numbers. It also advised citizens to avoid sharing personal information or making payments to individuals claiming to be customs officers online.
For credible updates, the agency encouraged the public to follow its official social media pages and website.
The warning comes as reports of customs-related fraud continue to grow. In one case, a 59-year-old woman, Rakiyat Musa, was recently arraigned for allegedly posing as a customs officer and obtaining more than ₦34 million under false pretense in Lagos.
The NCS said public awareness is key to stopping the spread of these scams and protecting Nigerians from financial losses.
