The federal government has raised an alarm that some dubious persons are extorting money from unsuspecting football enthusiasts who want to travel to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon warned football fans and the public in general to be wary of ticket racketeers who have promised to procure World Cup tickets for football lovers and supporters in exchange for huge sums of money.
Barrister Dalung said that such people have no authority to secure visas for anyone as the World Cup organizers have simplified the process for football fans.
“It has come to the knowledge of the federal government that there is some form of racketeering going on with the acquisition of tickets for the FIFA World Cup. I wish to warn the general public against giving in to any offer from any quarter promising you World Cup tickets or visas in exchange for money.
“This is fraudulent. The process of going to Russia for the World Cup has been well mapped out by the organizers. All you need is to buy a ticket online and acquire a FAN NUMBER.”
Barrister Dalung also emphasized that the federal government will not sponsor people or individuals to the World Cup and warned the public to be wary of the fraudsters.
“Government is not sponsoring people to Russia so nobody should collect money, assuring people that government will take people to the World Cup. The public should be aware of people using government’s name to defraud people.”
For those who want to support the team, the minister advised that they reach out to the supporters club.
“The tradition is that the Supporters Club is usually the platform that mobilizes support for the National teams. All Nigerians willing to travel to Russia to watch the Super Eagles should make adequate arrangements for their traveling. The public should be aware of people using government’s name to defraud people,”Dalung stated.
