SCAM ALERT FAKE NNPC WEBSITES

Scam Alert

There is a current growing global trend of cyber-crime and unfortunately in the case of Nigeria, the NNPC is prime target for use as a cover story in many of the instances. Indeed over the years, several scams have been perpetuated on victims all over the world by unsavoury characters purporting to be bona fide staff of the NNPC or contractors to NNPC or purchaser of Nigerian crude oil or contractors to the Nigerian Government.

TYPICAL NNPC SCAM LETTER

This type of scam is sometimes described as “419” as it stems from the violation of Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code. The scam combines the threat of impersonation and fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter, email, or fax is received by the potential victim.

The communications emanating from these fraudsters are usually set along the following scenarios:

The recipient is offered the "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars for assistance in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts. Payment of taxes, bribes to government officials, and legal fees are often described in great detail with the promise that all expenses will be reimbursed as soon as the funds are siphoned out of Nigeria or a bank account of the victim.

The recipient is encouraged to send information to the author, such as blank letterhead stationary, bank name and account numbers, and other identifying information using a facsimile number provided in the letter.

The recipient is coerced into a scheme that depicts entry into a contract with the NNPC. These scams which run into millions of dollars and the supporting documents usually appear genuine unless where they are verified by appropriate officers of NNPC or the Government.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NNPC DOES NOT CONDUCT CONTRACTUAL BUSINESS BY E-MAIL OR TELEPHONE.

Please apply the following checklist to mail purportedly received from any “official of the NNPC”:

Authenticate every contract document by conducting a due diiligence and proper verification through NNPC offices in Nigeria and in London.

If in doubt about the authenticity of any communication received, visit the Nigerian High Commission or Consulate Office in your country of residence.

Alternatively you may wish to contact the High Commission or Consulate Office of your home country in Nigeria.

You may send an email to scammaster@nnpcgroup.com to verify the contents of any mail purportedly emanating from the NNPC.

Be wary of individuals who contact you by email representing themselves as NNPC or Government officials.

Beware when asked to assist in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts and do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.

Do not reply to emails asking for personal banking information and guard your account information carefully.

Visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission website to learn more about combating financial and economic crimes in Nigeria.

Be alert and remember fraudulent malpractice in whatever form or device is investigated by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which is in collaboration with the US CIA, FBI and the UK MI4 as well as Interpol.

FAKE NNPC WEBSITES

The following websites are not NNPC websites:
www.nnpcnigeria.org