The (TRCN) has warned teachers, school owners and prospective applicants against falling victim to fraudsters operating fake portals and impersonating the council.
The council said it had uncovered fraudulent activities involving the use of its name, logo and identity to deceive and extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, TRCN stressed that it had not authorised any agent, consultant, third party or staff member to collect money or process registration, certification, licensing, employment or promotion outside its approved procedures and official channels.
The council said: “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.”
TRCN also warned the public against patronising unauthorised websites, stating that www.trcn.gov.ng remained its only approved online platform for information about its programmes and services.
“The Council DOES NOT own or operate any other portal other than our official website: www.trcn.gov.ng,” it stated.
The council further cautioned applicants against making payments into personal bank accounts, stressing that payments for its services were not collected through such channels.
It warned that certificates and licences obtained through unofficial processes would not be recognised.
“Certificates and Licenses issued outside our official process are FAKE, INVALID and NOT RECOGNISED by the Council,” the statement added.
The warning follows the proliferation of online platforms, social media posts and messages purporting to offer access to TRCN registration, Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), certification and other services.
The council urged teachers and other stakeholders to disregard unverified information circulated through social media, WhatsApp, emails and websites claiming to represent TRCN.
It advised anyone who had already made payments to suspected fraudsters or received suspicious calls, messages or payment requests in its name to report the matter to the relevant security agencies and notify the council through its official communication channels.
TRCN said it had directed its legal advisers and relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals found impersonating the council or defrauding members of 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 said.
The council therefore urged teachers, school owners and prospective applicants to verify information through its official channels before making payments or taking action on any purported TRCN service.
