A disturbing trend of sophisticated scams has emerged on Facebook Marketplace, targeting unsuspecting individuals with fraudulent advertisements for auctioned goods. These schemes often involve fraudsters impersonating officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), luring buyers with promises of seized items available at significantly reduced prices. The purportedly confiscated goods, ranging from electronics to household appliances, are frequently advertised as originating from border points such as the Seme Border.

The modus operandi typically begins with an enticing advertisement. Upon contacting the provided phone number, which was documented in the registered case, potential buyers usually receive prompt responses. Scammers often communicate in both English and deep Pidgin English, despite their Facebook profiles suggesting otherwise, in order to establish a warm and reassuring rapport. Many of these accounts confirm the availability of items and explain that a registration fee, often around ₦7,500 is required to participate in current and future auctions. A key promise is that once registered, the item will be shipped from the Seme Border the same day, provided the transaction occurs during daylight hours.

In a detailed account, a prospective buyer expressed interest in a small deep freezer priced at ₦60,000 with one of this scammers, which appeared reasonable for an auctioned item. After the initial conversation, the buyer transferred the ₦7,500 registration fee to a bank account later identified as belonging to Dokotri David Jogn, a name previously linked to similar scam alerts. Shortly after this payment, the buyer received a call from a man claiming to be the delivery driver, who demanded an additional ₦15,000 to facilitate delivery and ensure smooth passage through various checkpoints.

This unexpected request prompted the buyer to question “Christiana,” the supposed NCS representative, who profusely apologized for the “oversight,” pleading: “We still get plenty business wey we go do in the future. No allow this one spoil our business.” Her convincing demeanor persuaded the buyer to comply and transfer the additional ₦15,000. However, the situation escalated when the purported driver contacted the buyer again hours later, claiming his vehicle had broken down and required ₦20,000 for repairs. This demand raised significant red flags, particularly regarding why the recipient would be responsible for vehicle repair costs, an expense that should have been covered by any legitimate logistics or engineering department of a customs office.

When these concerns were voiced, the driver became defensive, threatening to abandon the freezer. He provided vague and inconsistent locations, including “Ipaja,” “Mile 12,” and later “Mile 2,” none of which aligned with a delivery route from the Seme Border. Throughout this ordeal, Christiana maintained communication, attempting to placate the buyer and urging compliance with the driver’s demands, citing the unavailability of key personnel at her “office.” Eventually, she claimed a “superior officer” had contributed ₦10,000 towards the repair, leaving the buyer to cover the remaining ₦10,000. Despite mounting doubts, the buyer transferred the additional funds, bringing the total loss to ₦32,500.

Following these transactions, all communication from both Christiana and the driver ceased. Calls went unanswered and messages ignored, solidifying the buyer’s realization of having been scammed. Attempts to contact another victim with a similar experience proved unsuccessful, as she refused to comment and subsequently deleted her Facebook post detailing her ordeal. The victim’s attempt to report the fraudulent transaction to Opay was met with delays and repeated requests for information already provided, highlighting the difficulties in seeking recourse.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repeatedly issued warnings to the public about such fraudulent activities. The NCS emphasizes that auctions of seized goods are never conducted via social media platforms. They advise the public to verify information exclusively through their official website, of the Nigeria Customs Service, or by contacting their help desk at +2347037891156 for accurate and updated details. The NCS also provides a list of their official social media handles for reliable information and implores everyone to exercise vigilance and prudence when encountering offers or announcements regarding customs auctions or recruitment.

Despite these official warnings, scammers continue to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Investigations have revealed numerous fake Facebook accounts posing as NCS representatives, advertising non-existent auctions and frequently requesting communication via WhatsApp, a common tactic for extracting personal and financial information. The NCS reiterates that it does not conduct auctions through WhatsApp or any unofficial channels. Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has stressed the importance of following the NCS’s standard operating procedures for the disposal of seized or overtime goods, as mandated by the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. Any claims of auctions outside these official channels should be treated as fraudulent and promptly reported.

The NCS remains committed to protecting the public from fraudulent activities and ensuring accurate information is disseminated through official platforms. They continue to urge caution and encourage the reporting of suspicious activities to the nearest customs office or official communication channels.