How ‘customs officers’ from Facebook Marketplace dupe Nigerians with fake auction schemes

A troubling scam has been deceiving unsuspecting buyers on Facebook Marketplace. Fraudsters, posing as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), lure individuals with advertisements for auctioned goods purportedly seized at border points like the Seme Border.

These items, ranging from electronics to household appliances, are presented at prices significantly below market value, making them appear attractive.

Upon contacting the provided phone number, registered as Adeyemi Christiana (Maria Chris on WhatsApp) on Facebook, whose latest post is March 12 about an ongoing vehicle auction, potential buyers are met with an immediate response, a stark contrast to the often sluggish customer service associated with many companies and government agencies in Nigeria.

The voice on the other end belongs to a woman who communicates in deep Pidgin English, despite her Facebook profile suggesting a Yoruba heritage. She exudes warmth and reassurance, informing the caller that the desired item is available.

To participate in the auction, she explains, a registration fee of ₦7,500 is required. This fee, she claims, grants access to this and future auctions. She further assures that once the registration is complete, the item will be shipped from the Seme Border the same day, provided the transaction occurs during daylight hours.

In one documented case, a prospective buyer, whose identity remains confidential, expressed interest in purchasing a small deep freezer valued at ₦60,000. The price seemed reasonable for an auctioned item, not raising immediate suspicion.

Following the initial conversation with Christiana, the buyer transferred the ₦7,500 registration fee to a bank account provided by the woman. The name on the account is a name already mentioned as a scammer on a post now deleted – Dokotri David Jogn.  

Shortly after this payment, the buyer received a call from a man claiming to be the delivery driver. He stated that an additional ₦15,000 was necessary to facilitate the delivery and ensure a smooth passage through various checkpoints en route.

This request was unexpected, prompting the buyer to question the woman.

She apologised profusely 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 demeanour led the buyer to comply, transferring the requested ₦15,000.

During this conversation, she also showed the buyer other items they can buy.

The situation deteriorated further hours later when the so-called driver contacted the buyer again, claiming that his vehicle had broken down and required ₦20,000 for repairs.

This raised significant red flags: why would the recipient be responsible for repair costs? What about the logistics or engineering departments of the customs office?

When these concerns were voiced, the driver became defensive, threatening to abandon the freezer on the roadside. He vaguely mentioned locations like “Ipaja” and “Mile 12,” and later “Mile 2,” areas not aligned with the supposed delivery route from the Seme Border. His erratic behaviour and reluctance to disclose his exact location further fuelled suspicions.

Throughout this ordeal, Christiana maintained communication, attempting to placate the buyer and urging compliance with the driver’s demands. She claimed that the office was unable to assist due to the unavailability of key personnel; a common excuse in bureaucratic settings.

Eventually, she informed the buyer that 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.

After these transactions, communication from the woman and the driver ceased. Calls went unanswered, and messages were ignored. The realisation of being scammed became undeniable. The buyer had lost a total of ₦32,500, with no deep freezer in sight.

Attempts to contact a victim with a similar experience proved abortive as she refused to comment and eventually deleted her post narrating her ordeal from Facebook.

What the Customs Service says

The Nigeria Customs Service has repeatedly cautioned the public about such fraudulent activities. In a statement, the NCS emphasised that auctions of seized goods are never conducted via social media platforms.

They advised the public to verify information exclusively through the official NCS website: www.customs.gov.ng.

Additionally, individuals can reach out to their help desk at +2347037891156 for accurate and updated details about the NCS and its operations. The NCS also provided a list of their official social media handles for reliable information. They implored everyone to exercise vigilance and prudence when approached with offers or announcements regarding customs auctions or recruitment.

Despite these warnings, scammers continue to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Investigations have revealed multiple fake Facebook accounts posing as NCS representatives, advertising non-existent auctions. These accounts often request communication via WhatsApp, a tactic commonly used by fraudsters to extract personal and financial information.

The NCS has reiterated that they do not conduct auctions through WhatsApp or any unofficial channels.

The NCS has also highlighted the importance of following their standard operating procedures for disposal of seized or overtime goods, per the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. They emphasised that any claims of auctions conducted outside their official channels should be treated as fraudulent and promptly reported.

In light of these incidents, the NCS has urged the public to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities to the nearest customs office or through their official communication channels for immediate assistance.

They remain committed to protecting the public from fraudulent activities and ensuring that accurate and authentic information is disseminated through their official platforms.

The experiences of victims like the aforementioned serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when engaging in online transactions. The tactics employed by these scammers are sophisticated and manipulative, preying on the trust and hopes of individuals seeking legitimate deals. By sharing these accounts and heeding the official warnings issued by the NCS, the public can better protect themselves from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.

On trying to report a fraudulent transaction

All the transactions were done via Opay but the buyer says when they reported the case, Opay took a while before rejecting the report, asking for details already narrated in the report.