Fraudsters Duping Teachers With Fake Certificates—TRCN

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has cried out over a wave of fraud targeting teachers and aspiring teachers across the country.

According to the council, scammers are parading themselves as TRCN officials and using the council’s name, logo and reputation to swindle unsuspecting people of their money.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Registrar and Chief Executive, Dr. Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, said TRCN has not given any agent, consultant, third party, or even its own staff the power to collect fees or handle registration, certification, licensing, employment or promotions outside the council’s laid-down procedures.

“It has not authorized any individual, agent, consultant, third party or any member of staff to collect money, process registration, secure employment, facilitate certification, licensing, promotions, or render any TRCN service outside the Council’s officially approved procedures and channels,” she stated.

TRCN also warned against paying money into private accounts, noting that it does not receive payments through such means. The council stressed that any certificate or licence obtained outside its official process holds no value.

“Certificates and Licenses issued outside our official process are Fake, Invalid and Not Recognised by the Council,” it said.

The statement noted that the alert comes at a time when several online platforms and social media messages claim to offer TRCN registration, the Professional Qualifying Examination, and other services.

TRCN urged the public to ignore information shared on WhatsApp, email, social media and websites that claim to represent it.

The Council urged those who have already paid fraudsters or received suspicious messages to report to security agencies and inform the council through its official channels.

The council disclosed that it has asked its legal team and security agencies to track down and prosecute anyone impersonating TRCN or defrauding the public.

“Such fraudulent acts constitute criminal offences and will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it warned.

TRCN called on teachers and stakeholders to confirm any information before making payments or acting on claims about its services.