Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cautions Public About Scams Involving Bogus Car Sales Promotions

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is cautioning the public to be wary of fake advertisements promoting the sale of forfeited vehicles at significantly discounted prices, as these offers are entirely fraudulent.

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According to Femi Babafemi, the agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, in a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the scam involves criminals impersonating high-ranking officials of the agency.

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Babafemi revealed that the scammers are using the names of top NDLEA officials, notably the Secretary to the Agency, Mr Shadrach Haruna, to distribute fake letters and messages offering vehicles allegedly forfeited to the agency for auction.

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He characterized these offers as a total scam, emphasizing that their sole purpose is to swindle unsuspecting members of the public out of their money through a malicious scheme.

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Babafemi stressed that no NDLEA official has the authority to privately offer, allocate, or sell forfeited vehicles or any other assets seized by the agency.

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All vehicles and assets forfeited as proceeds of drug-related crimes are disposed of solely through transparent public auction processes conducted by duly appointed and government-registered auctioneers, he explained.

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Babafemi added that any legitimate auction exercise by the agency would be widely publicized in national newspapers and announced through the NDLEA's official communication channels, in compliance with existing legal provisions and public procurement guidelines.

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He urged the public to disregard and report any private letters, text messages, or social media posts claiming to originate from Haruna or any other NDLEA official offering forfeited vehicles or other assets for sale.

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The NDLEA spokesman reiterated that these offers are a complete scam, designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money.

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The agency reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and integrity in all its operations, advising the public not to fall prey to the activities of the fraudsters.

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He advised anyone approached with such fraudulent offers to report the matter immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through the agency's official communication channels.