The Nigerian consulate in New York has warned citizens to be circumspect when applying for passports online, saying unauthorised websites have sprung up to defraud applicants.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the consulate warned Nigerians against using unauthorised websites and emphasised the need to seek proper guidance on passport applications.
The consulate disclosed that it has received information of a fake website that directs passport applicants to make payments through Zelle, a digital payment network, using the telephone number: 770-510-9332.
“The attention of the consulate has been drawn to the operations of a website, www.nigerianpassports.com purporting to be a platform for processing Nigerian passport,” the notice reads.
“The consulate wishes to state that this website is fake and set up to defraud applicants for Nigerian passports.
“While the consulate liaises 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.’’
The notice advised applicants outside Nigeria to apply through the official websites of the respective embassies and consulates of where they intend to process their passports.
“For the consulate in New York, the website is www.nigeriahouse.com,” it stated.
“All enquiries to the consulate may be channelled through the following email address: cgnny@nigeriahouse.com.’’
