NDLEA warns against fake auction offers using officials’ names
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has warned members of the public to disregard fraudulent auction offers being circulated by scammers impersonating senior officials of the agency to swindle unsuspecting Nigerians.
The agency said the fraudsters have been using the names of top NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to send fake letters and messages offering forfeited vehicles at discounted prices through purported private auctions.
In a statement issued on Friday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency described the offers as a complete scam designed to defraud members of the public of their money.
The NDLEA stressed that no official of the agency has the authority to privately allocate, offer or sell forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals under any circumstance.
According to the agency, all vehicles and assets forfeited as proceeds of drug-related offences are disposed of only through public auction processes handled by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement procedures.
It added that any legitimate auction conducted by the agency would be publicly advertised in national newspapers and announced through its official communication channels to ensure transparency and fairness.
The NDLEA urged members of the public to ignore and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles on behalf of Barrister Haruna or any other official of the agency, warning that such messages originate from criminal elements.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the agency advised anyone approached with the fraudulent offers to promptly report the incident to the nearest NDLEA command or through its official communication channels to help prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
