Nigerians were warned about Ponzi schemes – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that it issued a warning to Nigerians against investing in Ponzi schemes amid reactions to the alleged fraud perpetrated by a digital investment platform, CryptoBank Exchange (CBEX).

Daily Sun reported that the commission is collaborating with Interpol in a joint investigation into the alleged N1.3 trillion fraud committed by the online platform.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale shared that steps were taken to enlighten Nigerians about the dangers of such investments.

“You’ll recall that in March 11 this year, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, had cause to instruct us to alert Nigerians about 58 Ponzi scheme companies; we came out with a list.

“So, that shows that we’re proactive and we have our hands on what is happening.

“So, concerning this CBEX thing, we’re on it; it’s not that we didn’t know, and you know we’ve been alerting Nigerians about ways and means, how to separate themselves from this type of shenanigans.

“So, before the calls came, we were working, while the calls were coming, we were working, and even after the calls, we’re still working.”

“We cannot lay any blame on the EFCC concerning this CBEX thing. I’m sure we know that that business venture is a Chinese digital trading company with no jurisdictional link with Nigeria; all the areas offices that people saying are in Ibadan and in some other locations are not functionals offices. The entire thing is online.

“And we have been warning Nigerians against criminal engagements online. So, what would you expect the EFCC to do?

“We have given empowerment, we have given enlightenment, we have given public awareness, we have raised intelligence.

“It is to the credit of the EFCC chairman that he came forward to say that there are 58 companies that Nigerians are patronising, that they should no longer patronise.

“So, if the commission is as proactive as that, then the rest is for the people concerned to be more vigilant and to ensure that they guard their investment in line with the information that is available,” he said.