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Nigerian Procurement Agency Warns of Director-General Impersonation Scam
Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has issued a public warning about a sophisticated fraud operation on Facebook where scammers are impersonating the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun.
According to a statement released Sunday in Abuja by Zira Nagga, the BPP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, the fraudulent Facebook account has been actively targeting contractors, stakeholders, and members of the general public with deceptive offers.
The impostors have reportedly been promising expedited contract approvals, job opportunities, and other procurement-related services in exchange for fees – a clear indication of fraudulent activity, according to the agency.
“The BPP categorically declares that the said Facebook account is fake,” Nagga stated firmly in the release. “The director-general of the BPP does not conduct official government business via private Facebook messages or personal social media accounts.”
The statement emphasized that all legitimate communications regarding Nigeria’s public procurement processes, guidelines, and contract notifications are exclusively distributed through the bureau’s official website and verified social media channels. The BPP’s official website is www.bpp.gov.ng.
Nagga was particularly emphatic that neither the bureau nor its Director-General would ever solicit money, gifts, or “processing fees” from the public or contractors to facilitate any procurement process, describing such requests as “a clear indication of a scam.”
This type of impersonation fraud has become increasingly common in Nigeria and across Africa as government digitization efforts expand. Procurement fraud is particularly damaging as it not only victimizes individuals but can undermine trust in legitimate government contracting processes that are crucial for national development.
The BPP serves as Nigeria’s regulatory body for public procurement, establishing standards, formulating policies, and ensuring compliance with procurement laws. Its role is vital to ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending, making it an attractive target for fraudsters looking to exploit its authority.
In response to the fraudulent activity, the BPP revealed it has engaged Nigeria’s security apparatus, including the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), to track down those responsible for the impersonation.
Cybersecurity experts note that government impersonation scams have surged globally, with fraudsters becoming increasingly sophisticated in their targeting and approach. These scams often exploit the public’s trust in official institutions and can be particularly convincing when they reference real officials and processes.
The BPP has urged the public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any communication allegedly from the bureau or its director-general by using official channels. These include the agency’s website, official email addresses ([email protected] or [email protected]), or by contacting the head office located at 11, Suleiman Barau Crescent, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Individuals who transact with the impostors do so at their own risk. The BPP will not be liable for any financial loss or damages arising from dealings with fraudulent social media accounts,” Nagga warned.
The agency also advised the public to refrain from engaging with the fraudulent account and to avoid sharing personal data, bank details, or sensitive company information with the scammers.
As digital transformation accelerates across Nigeria’s public sector, authorities have increasingly emphasized the importance of digital literacy and skepticism when conducting business online, particularly when dealing with government agencies that control significant financial resources and contracts.
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6 Comments
I’m glad the BPP is on top of this and issuing a clear public statement. Social media impersonation scams seem to be on the rise, so it’s important for government agencies to stay vigilant and proactively address them.
Agreed. Transparent communication from the agency is key to protecting the public and maintaining trust in legitimate procurement processes.
Impersonation scams targeting government agencies are a major concern. The BPP’s swift response to disavow this fake account and inform the public is a responsible step. Maintaining the integrity of public procurement is crucial.
This is a concerning scam targeting government contractors and the public. It’s good the BPP is quickly disavowing the fake account and warning people not to engage with it. Impersonating officials to defraud people is unacceptable.
Social media scams like this one undermine public trust. The BPP is right to quickly denounce the fake account and reiterate their official communication channels. Cracking down on these fraudsters is important for protecting contractors and citizens.
This fake account is clearly trying to exploit people for financial gain. It’s good the BPP is taking it seriously and making it clear they don’t conduct official business through personal social media. Hopefully this warning helps stop the scammers in their tracks.