The Nigerian Embassy and Consulates-General in the U.S. have raised alarm over a fake website for passport application.
In a joint statement on Thursday by the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, the Consulate-Generals of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta, they warned Nigerians against using unauthorised websites, reiterating the need for them to seek proper guidance on passport applications.
They also warned that the fake website was defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians by directing them to make payments, which are unauthorised by the Embassy and Consulates.
According to the joint statement: “The attention of the Nigerian Embassy and Consulates in the United States have been drawn to the operations of a website, www.nigerianpassports.com, purporting to be a platform for processing Nigerian International Passport.
“The website directs passport applicants to make payments through Zelle using Tel no. 770-510-9332.
“The Nigerian Embassy in Washington and the Consulates in New York and Atlanta wish to state that this website is fake and set up to defraud applicants for Nigerian passport.
“While the Embassy and Consulates liaise with local authorities and the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja to investigate this fraudulent website, the general public is reminded that the global website for applications for Nigerian passport remains portal.immigration.gov.ng.
“Applicants outside Nigeria are to apply through the official websites of the respective Embassies/Consulates where they intend to process their passports’’
The missions advised applicants outside Nigeria to apply through the official websites of the respective embassies and consulates where they intend to process their passports.
The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York had on Wednesday drawn the attention of nationals to the website, urging them to seek information only on the consulate’s website: www.nigeriahouse.com.
In addition, the Consulate-General advised all passport applicants to channel their enquiries to the consulate through the following email address: cgnny@nigeriahouse.com.