Customs Alerts Public to Surge in Fake Recruitment, Auction Scams on Social Media
…Warns against impersonators of senior officials and urges Nigerians to use official channels
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a strong warning to the public over the increasing circulation of fraudulent recruitment and auction schemes on social media platforms.
The Service emphasised that these scams are being perpetrated by impostors who are falsely claiming to represent senior officials of the agency.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Friday, 20 June 2025, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, expressed serious concern over the growing trend of cybercriminals impersonating top Customs officials, including the Comptroller-General, to lure unsuspecting Nigerians into fraudulent transactions.
“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 revealed.
He categorically stated that the Nigeria Customs Service does not conduct recruitment or auctions via social media platforms, describing the proliferation of such activities as “criminal acts aimed at tarnishing the Service’s reputation and defrauding innocent Nigerians.”
As part of efforts to clamp down on these fraudulent activities, the NCS disclosed the recent arrest of one Mr Okoli Okana Boniface on 16 June 2025. The suspect was apprehended for allegedly manipulating the recruitment process and falsely claiming to be an aide to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“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,” Maiwada said, noting that the arrest underscored the Service’s commitment to upholding the credibility of its recruitment and operational processes.
While assuring the public that further investigations are ongoing to uncover other fraudulent schemes, Maiwada reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and fraud.
He urged Nigerians to exercise caution and verify any job or auction-related communication through official NCS 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 advised.
Reaffirming the stance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Maiwada concluded: “The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to identifying, exposing, and prosecuting those who seek to compromise our operations through deceit.”
The Service encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities promptly and remain alert to prevent exploitation by fraudsters masquerading as Customs officials.
