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The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has issued a stern warning to Nigerians regarding fraudulent automobile auction schemes proliferating across social media platforms.
Acting Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu revealed during a media briefing in Lagos that criminal syndicates are exploiting the popularity of the Customs’ legitimate auction programs to defraud unsuspecting citizens. These scammers create fake online platforms that closely mimic official Customs websites and social media accounts, deceiving people into believing they are participating in legitimate government auctions.
“We have received numerous reports of Nigerians losing substantial sums to these fraudsters,” Ejibunu stated. “These criminal networks operate sophisticated schemes where they advertise non-existent vehicles at suspiciously low prices, claiming they are Customs seizures available for public auction.”
The Customs official emphasized that the agency conducts its auctions exclusively through the official e-auction portal at https://app.trade.gov.ng/eauction/, which requires proper registration and verification. Unlike the fraudulent schemes, legitimate Customs auctions follow strict protocols and never request payments through personal accounts.
“The Nigeria Customs Service never conducts auctions via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or through third-party agents,” Ejibunu clarified. “We also do not request payments to individual accounts or through unconventional channels.”
Industry analysts note that the rise in these scams comes amid Nigeria’s challenging economic climate, where many citizens are searching for affordable vehicles as import duties and inflation have driven up automotive prices. The automotive market in Nigeria has seen prices increase by approximately 30-40% over the past year alone, making the promise of discounted auction vehicles particularly attractive.
According to automotive industry data, Nigeria imports an estimated 400,000 used vehicles annually, with the Customs Service handling thousands of seized vehicles through legitimate auctions. This high volume creates ample opportunity for scammers to insert themselves into the process.
The Customs’ warning comes as part of broader efforts to combat digital fraud in Nigeria, which has seen exponential growth during the post-pandemic period. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported that Nigerians lost approximately ₦12 billion to various digital fraud schemes in 2022 alone, with fake auctions representing a significant portion of these losses.
Security experts have identified key warning signs of fraudulent auctions, including unusually low prices, pressure to make quick payment decisions, requests for payments through non-traceable methods, and communication through unofficial channels. They recommend verifying all government-related services through official websites and direct contact with agency headquarters.
“These criminal syndicates often create very convincing fake websites and social media profiles,” said Emmanuel Okonkwo, a cybersecurity analyst based in Lagos. “They use official logos, similar domain names, and even copy authentic content from legitimate government sites to appear credible.”
The Customs Service has advised citizens to report suspected fraudulent auction sites to law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force’s cybercrime units.
As part of its ongoing anti-fraud campaign, Customs officials are conducting public awareness programs in major cities and collaborating with telecommunication companies to identify and shut down fraudulent platforms. The Service has also enhanced its digital presence to make it easier for citizens to distinguish between official and fake communications.
“We urge Nigerians to exercise extreme caution and verify any auction information through our official channels,” Ejibunu concluded. “If a deal seems too good to be true, particularly when it involves government-seized assets, it almost certainly is a scam.”
The Nigeria Customs Service can be reached through its official website at customs.gov.ng or through verified social media accounts that display the blue verification badge.
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12 Comments
Sad to hear about these fraudulent vehicle auctions. It’s crucial for the public to be vigilant and only use the official Customs e-auction portal to avoid being scammed. Kudos to the Customs Service for warning people about these criminal schemes.
Agreed. The fraudsters are really exploiting the popularity of legitimate Customs auctions, which is unacceptable. I hope the authorities can crack down on these scams quickly to protect innocent buyers.
This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Kudos to the Customs Service for being proactive and trying to protect citizens from these fraudulent vehicle auctions on social media. Hopefully their efforts will help stop more people from falling victim.
Absolutely. These scams can be very costly for unsuspecting buyers. The Customs Service is doing the right thing by strongly emphasizing the importance of only using their official e-auction portal for legitimate sales.
This is a concerning issue. It’s good that the Customs Service is being proactive in alerting the public about these fraudulent activities on social media. Hopefully this warning will help prevent more people from falling victim to these schemes.
Absolutely. It’s crucial for the public to only use the official Customs e-auction portal to ensure they are participating in legitimate sales. These scammers need to be stopped before they can take advantage of more unsuspecting citizens.
Wow, these fraudsters are really going to great lengths to trick people. It’s admirable that the Customs Service is taking a strong stand against these schemes and educating the public. Staying vigilant is so important when it comes to online auctions.
I agree, the Customs Service is right to issue this warning. These scams can be very sophisticated, so it’s vital that the public only uses the official Customs e-auction platform to avoid being defrauded.
Fraudulent vehicle auctions are a serious issue, and I’m glad the Customs Service is taking steps to address it. Their warning about these criminal schemes on social media is important for protecting unsuspecting buyers. Hopefully their efforts will help put a stop to these scams.
Absolutely. It’s great that the Customs Service is being so transparent about these fraudulent activities and emphasizing the need to only use their official e-auction portal. That’s the best way for the public to avoid falling victim to these sophisticated scams.
It’s disturbing to see these criminal networks exploiting the Customs’ legitimate auction programs. I’m glad the agency is taking swift action to warn the public and shut down these fraudulent schemes. Staying vigilant is key to avoiding falling for these scams.
Agreed. These scams can be very sophisticated, so it’s critical for the public to only use the official Customs e-auction platform to ensure they are participating in legitimate sales. Kudos to the Customs Service for their proactive efforts.