NDLEA Warns Public Against Fake Auction Offers Using Officials’ Names

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned members of the public to disregard fraudulent auction offers being circulated by scammers impersonating top officials of the agency.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency said criminal elements have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to send fake letters and messages offering forfeited vehicles at cheap prices.

According to the statement, the offers are entirely fraudulent and are aimed at deceiving unsuspecting members of the public into parting with their money.

“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” the statement read.

The anti-narcotics agency stressed that no official of the NDLEA is authorised to privately offer, allocate or sell forfeited vehicles or any other assets seized in connection with drug-related offences.

It explained that all forfeited assets are disposed of only through transparent public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers, in line with legal and public procurement requirements.

NDLEA Explains Official Auction Process

The agency further noted that any genuine auction exercise is always announced publicly through national newspapers and the NDLEA’s official communication channels.

“Vehicles and other assets forfeited as proceeds of drug crimes are strictly auctioned through public processes managed by appointed, government-registered auctioneers. Any legitimate auction exercise is widely publicised in national dailies and through the Agency’s official channels,” the statement added.

The NDLEA urged Nigerians to ignore and report any private letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles on behalf of Barrister Shadrach Haruna or any other official of the agency.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the agency advised members of the public not to fall victim to the fraudulent scheme.

“Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or via our official communication channels,” the statement concluded.