Abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has alerted members of the public to a fraudulent Facebook account impersonating its Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun. This warning comes as part of the bureau’s efforts to protect the public from scams and fraudulent activities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the statement was issued by Zira Nagga, Head of Press and Public Relations at BPP. Nagga highlighted that the fake account is engaging with the public, contractors, and stakeholders by making false promises related to fast-tracked contract approvals, job opportunities, and requests for fees concerning procurement-related services.
The BPP has made it clear that this Facebook account is not legitimate. Nagga stated that the Director-General does not conduct any official government business through private Facebook messages or personal social media accounts. All official communications from BPP regarding public procurement processes, guidelines, and contract notifications are only available through the bureau’s official website and verified social media handles.
Furthermore, Nagga emphasized that neither the bureau nor its Director-General would ever request money, gifts, or any kind of ‘processing fees’ from the public or contractors to facilitate any procurement process, stressing that any such request is a clear indication of a scam.
The public is advised to avoid engaging with the fraudulent account and is warned against sharing personal data, bank details, or sensitive company information with the impostors. BPP is collaborating with relevant security and law enforcement agencies, including the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), to track down those responsible for the impersonation.
Nagga urged anyone uncertain about the authenticity of communications supposedly from the bureau or its Director-General to seek clarification through its official channels. The public can reach out via the official website, email, or visit the head office for verification.