EU Disowns Purported Compensation For Phantom Funds Trapped In West African Banks

Press Release

EU disowns purported compensation for phantom funds trapped in West African banks

Abuja, 22 July 2026 – The attention of the Eurpean Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has been drawn to a fake document purported to have emanated from the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union, Ms Thérèse Blanchet, on a non-existent European Union-World Bank assisted recovery programme for those affected by alleged fraudulent practices in the handling of fund transfers in Africa.

The said document promises compensation for citizens of the Europe and other countries whose legally transferred funds are trapped in banks and other financial institutions across West Africa. It claims that the Eurpean Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS has been mandated to monitor the compensation process and urges claimants to approach him for that purpose.

1. This document in its entirety is a scam. The information and claims contained therein are false. The European Union is neither aware of any such bogus programme nor part of it.

2. The email addresses and phone number provided in the document as those of Ms Blanchet and Ambassador Mignot are fake, and obviously belong to the scammers.

3. The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS urges members of the public to disregard the fake information. The Delegation’s website and social media platforms remain the Delegation’s official channels of communication to the public.

For further press inquiries, please contact :
Modestus CHUKWULAKA, Press and Information Officer,
EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS

Email: Modestus.Chukwulaka@eeas.europa.eu
Mobile: +234 8033113017