The Corporate Affairs Commission has raised an urgent alarm over the growing activities of fraudulent entities parading themselves as duly registered companies in Nigeria.
In a public advisory issued on Tuesday, the commission cautioned citizens, investors and business owners to avoid dealing with several organisations whose names and registration numbers do not appear in its official database.
The warning, released across the CAC’s verified social media platforms, comes as part of a broader effort to safeguard Nigeria’s business environment and protect unsuspecting members of the public from falling victim to scams perpetrated under the guise of legitimate corporate activity.
According to the commission, the publication was necessary to “maintain an accurate, reliable companies register and protect investors, businesses, and the general public from fraudulent activities.”
This aligns directly with its statutory mandate under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which empowers the CAC to regulate and certify all registered entities operating within the country.
CAC Warns Against Fake Companies and the Growing Risk to the Public
In the statement signed by the commission’s management, the CAC urged Nigerians to exercise extreme caution when transacting with individuals or organisations bearing specific suspicious names and purported registration details.
The listed entities, despite circulating RC or BN numbers, do not exist in the official CAC register, making any form of engagement with them potentially risky.
Among the unregistered companies highlighted were Famas Services Nigeria Limited (RC 216312), Promo Dutch Investment Limited (RC 396654), Dialack Concept Nig. Ltd (RC 297772), and Purpleheart Construction and Real Estate Management Co. Ltd (RC 1210548).
Others include M/S Loktu Enterprises (BN 373466), Loktu Enterprises (BN 400390), Badatoyak Ltd (RC 521322), Johson Nats Limited (RC 198492), Peoples Club Nigeria International (CAC/IT/41191), and Jiba Enterprise (BN 577523).
The list further featured Civil Engineering Solutions Nigeria Limited (RC 33001), Gabdoff Hotel Ltd (RC 112409), Amoka Group (BN 545221), BEEC Nigeria Limited (RC 30143), and S. S. Adetunji (BN 657466).
The commission stressed that none of the names above are recognised within its verified corporate registry.
This means they are not authorised to operate as legitimate companies or business names under Nigerian law.
“The public is hereby warned to disregard these entities and exercise the highest level of caution when dealing with individuals or organisations using the names with corresponding purported RC numbers below,” the notice declared.
Why the CAC Warning Matters to Investors and Businesses
The circulation of fake corporate identities poses severe risks across Nigeria’s commercial landscape. Unregistered entities may use fabricated RC numbers to deceive the public, solicit investments, engage in fraudulent contracts, or evade liability for unlawful activities.
In many cases, unsuspecting citizens have suffered financial losses after transacting with organisations later discovered to be non-existent in the CAC database.
By publishing the list, the Corporate Affairs Commission aims to curb such malpractice and reinforce its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s corporate registry.
The advisory also comes at a time when fraudulent schemes—particularly online—are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often leveraging fake documentation to appear credible.
Industry stakeholders say the CAC’s proactive disclosure is critical to preserving investor confidence, encouraging business transparency and ensuring that Nigeria’s commercial environment remains predictable and safe.
CAC Encourages Public Verification Through Official Portal
As part of its preventive strategy, the commission advised Nigerians to always verify the status of any organisation before entering into financial or contractual engagements.
It urged the public to use the CAC’s official online portal, where registration details of all recognised companies and business names can be checked directly.
“The CAC remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Companies Register, upholding the law, and ensuring a safe and transparent business environment in Nigeria,” the notice added.
The portal—which is part of the commission’s digital transformation initiative—allows users to search for registered entities, initiate new business registrations, and confirm compliance with CAMA provisions.
This self-service verification system has significantly reduced the incidence of third-party fraud and increased accessibility for entrepreneurs nationwide.
Why the Issue of Fake Companies Persists
Analysts say the rise in fake corporate identities may be linked to increasing digital scams, gaps in public awareness and loopholes exploited by fraudulent actors.
Although the CAC has intensified digitisation and enforcement in recent years, many Nigerians remain unaware of the need to verify business names before engaging financially.
Fraudsters often exploit this gap by using fabricated CAC certificates, cloned websites, or false RC numbers to convince potential victims of their legitimacy.
In some cases, fake companies have advertised nonexistent real estate deals, investment schemes, recruitment opportunities, and supply contracts.
The CAC’s latest publication, therefore, serves both as a warning and a call for heightened vigilance.
CAC’s Role in Safeguarding Nigeria’s Business Environment
Established in 1990 under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the CAC is responsible for the registration, regulation and oversight of all corporate entities operating in Nigeria. Its duties include:
• Registering companies, business names and incorporated trustees
• Maintaining an up-to-date and accurate corporate registry
• Enforcing compliance with CAMA
• Ensuring transparency and accountability within the corporate sector
The commission’s latest action reinforces these responsibilities and signals its resolve to crack down on fraudulent entities taking advantage of the public.
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