The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed as fraudulent a document circulating online claiming that victims of alleged trapped funds in West African banks are entitled to compensation under a purported EU-World Bank recovery programme.
In a statement, the Delegation said the document, falsely attributed to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Thérèse Blanchet, was fabricated and has no connection with the EU.
The fake document claims that citizens from Europe and other countries whose legally transferred funds are allegedly trapped in banks and financial institutions across West Africa can receive compensation. It also falsely states that the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS has been mandated to supervise the compensation process.
However, the EU described the claims as entirely false.
“This document in its entirety is a scam. The information and claims contained therein are false. The European Union is neither aware of any such bogus programme nor part of it,” the statement said.
The Delegation further revealed that the email addresses and telephone number listed in the document as belonging to Ms Blanchet and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, are fake and are being used by fraudsters.
It warned members of the public not to engage with the individuals behind the fraudulent scheme or respond to any requests linked to the fake compensation programme.
“The email addresses and phone number provided in the document as those of Ms Blanchet and Ambassador Mignot are fake, and obviously belong to the scammers,” the statement added.
The EU urged the public to rely only on its official communication channels for verified information and to disregard the false claims.
“The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS urges members of the public to disregard the fake information. The Delegation’s website and social media platforms remain the Delegation’s official channels of communication to the public.”
