The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised fresh concerns over a rising trend of fraudsters impersonating its officers to scam and extort unsuspecting Nigerians across different parts of the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the Commission said it is alarmed by the increasing number of criminal groups using its identity to intimidate people and carry out illegal activities.
According to the EFCC, intelligence reports show that some of these impostors now operate in organised patterns, especially around public places such as lounges, restaurants, and busy streets in major cities.
The Commission explained that in some cases, victims—often young people—are stopped after leaving social venues and falsely accused of internet-related crimes. They are then allegedly searched, stripped of valuables, or forced into vehicles under the guise of being taken to EFCC offices.
EFCC also warned about another tactic where fake operatives stop motorists based on their vehicle details, make baseless allegations, and demand immediate payment to avoid “arrest.”
In some instances, the agency said these criminals even carry weapons and use intimidation to force compliance.
The Commission further condemned the circulation of staged videos on social media showing fake “raids” or “sting operations,” where individuals break into properties and claim to be EFCC officers. It described such content as misleading and capable of damaging public trust in its legitimate operations.
“The EFCC is constrained to alert the public about increasing waves of attack on its image by criminal characters parading themselves as officers of the Commission in different guises,” the statement read.
It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious activity through official EFCC channels, stressing that genuine operations are always conducted within established legal procedures.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to fighting financial crimes while warning that anyone caught impersonating its officers will face prosecution.
