EU Debunks Fake West Africa Compensation Scheme, Warns Public Against Scammers

The European Union (EU) has disowned a fraudulent compensation scheme claiming to recover funds allegedly trapped in banks across West Africa, warning members of the public not to fall victim to the scam.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS said a fake document circulating online falsely claimed that the EU and the World Bank had launched a recovery programme to compensate individuals whose funds were purportedly trapped in banks in the sub-region.

The delegation described the purported initiative as entirely false, stressing that neither the European Union nor the World Bank was involved in any such programme.

It also disclosed that fraudsters had impersonated senior EU officials by creating fake email addresses and telephone numbers in the names of the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Thérèse Blanchet, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS to lend credibility to the scheme.

“The European Union has no knowledge of or involvement in this alleged compensation programme,” the delegation said, urging the public to ignore the fraudulent claims.

The EU further advised members of the public to verify information about its activities through its official website and verified social media platforms, warning that scammers frequently exploit the names and identities of international organisations to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The delegation reiterated its commitment to combating misinformation and urged anyone who encounters the fake document or similar messages to disregard them and avoid sharing personal or financial information with the perpetrators.