The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians about a fraudulent scheme involving scammers impersonating top officials of the agency to promote fake auction sales of forfeited vehicles.
The warning was made public in a statement released on Friday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the NDLEA, the fraudsters have been using the names of senior officials, particularly the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fake letters and messages claiming to offer seized vehicles at discounted prices.
The agency described the offers as fraudulent and aimed at deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
It clarified that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately sell, allocate, or distribute forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets.
The agency explained that all assets forfeited as proceeds of drug-related crimes are disposed of strictly through public auctions handled by government-approved auctioneers.
It further stated that legitimate auction notices are always publicly announced through national newspapers and the agency’s official communication platforms in line with legal procedures and public procurement regulations.
The NDLEA urged Nigerians to ignore any private messages, letters, or social media posts claiming to offer auctioned vehicles on behalf of the agency or its officials.
It also advised anyone who receives such offers to report them to the nearest NDLEA office or through the agency’s official channels.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, while cautioning the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
Fraud involving fake government auctions and impersonation of public officials has become an increasingly common tactic used by scammers in Nigeria to deceive unsuspecting citizens.
In recent years, several security and anti-graft agencies have repeatedly issued warnings about fraudsters exploiting the names of government institutions to advertise non-existent auction sales of seized vehicles, properties, and other assets.
Such scams often target individuals looking for cheaper alternatives, using fake documents, unofficial letters, and social media messages to appear legitimate before demanding payments.
The latest warning by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency highlights growing concerns over how criminal networks are adapting their methods, prompting renewed calls for the public to verify auction information only through official government channels.
