NCS Issues Warning to Nigerians About Fraudulent Social Media Messages

In a significant move to combat the spread of misinformation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a strong warning to the Nigerian public regarding fraudulent messages circulating on social media platforms falsely attributed to the agency.

In an official statement released through its verified social media channels, the NCS emphasized that these deceptive communications did not originate from the Service and urged citizens to disregard them entirely.

“The Nigeria Customs Service wishes to alert the public about certain misleading information being shared across social media platforms purportedly from our organization. We categorically state that these messages are fake and have not been issued by the NCS,” the statement read.

The proliferation of fake Customs-related messages has become increasingly concerning in recent months, with fraudsters often impersonating official NCS accounts to spread misinformation about import policies, duty payments, and auction sales. These fraudulent communications typically aim to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians into making unauthorized payments or disclosing personal information.

Security experts have noted that such scams have intensified amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges, with criminals exploiting citizens’ interest in potential bargains or duty reductions. The trend aligns with broader patterns of digital fraud in Nigeria, which the Nigerian Communications Commission recently reported has increased by approximately 40 percent in the past year alone.

The NCS specifically highlighted that legitimate communications from the agency are only issued through official channels, including its verified social media accounts, official website (customs.gov.ng), and authorized spokespersons. The Service encouraged Nigerians to verify any communications claiming to be from Customs by checking these official platforms or contacting their helplines directly.

“For clarity, all authentic Customs announcements regarding policies, procedures, or public notices are disseminated only through our verified channels. We urge the public to exercise caution and verify information before taking any action based on purported Customs directives,” the statement continued.

The warning comes at a time when digital literacy advocates have raised concerns about the vulnerability of many Nigerians to online scams. According to recent data from the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), approximately 65 percent of Nigerians have encountered some form of online misinformation in the past year, with government impersonation scams ranking among the most common.

Economic analysts suggest that the rise in NCS-related scams may be connected to increased public interest in imported goods amid fluctuating exchange rates and changing import regulations. Scammers capitalize on this interest by creating convincing but fraudulent messages about special clearance rates or auction sales.

The NCS has advised the public to report suspicious communications to their anti-fraud unit and reminded citizens that official customs procedures follow established protocols that never involve soliciting payments through unofficial channels or social media platforms.

This initiative forms part of broader government efforts to combat the growing challenge of digital misinformation, which has significant implications for public trust in government institutions and potential economic costs to victims of such scams.