Nigeria — In a significant update on the collapsed CBEX (Crypto Bridge Exchange) saga, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that it has successfully traced funds linked to the suspected Ponzi scheme to at least four different countries. However, the agency has cautioned that full restitution to the numerous defrauded investors may be “practically impossible” due to the dissipation of funds and the involvement of foreign-based individuals.

 

Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program on Wednesday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed that while efforts to recover the stolen assets are actively underway, the complexities of the case present considerable challenges. He stated that the agency has managed to block several accounts and freeze a “reasonable amount” of funds, though he refrained from disclosing specific figures at this stage.

 

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Olukoyede highlighted the intricate nature of the transactions, noting that a significant portion was conducted in cryptocurrency and routed through digital wallets located beyond Nigeria’s legal jurisdiction.

 

“We have been able to block some accounts. We have been able to freeze some funds, which I will not be able to give you a figure, but some reasonable amount of funds, we have been able to freeze,” the EFCC boss stated.

 

Despite these successes in tracing and freezing assets, Olukoyede offered a sobering outlook for the victims. “I will not sit down and tell you that we are going to restore every victim. It will become practically impossible because quite a certain amount of money has been dissipated and not within our system.”

He further elaborated on the international dimension of the fraud, stating, “We have traced to three, four countries now. In fact, the principal parties behind the entire scheme… most of them are foreigners, they are not within our jurisdiction, and you know what that entails.”

 

Olukoyede commended the EFCC’s efforts in navigating these international complexities, saying, “In fact, it took our impunity, our proficiency, to be able to even freeze some assets that we have done now. So, yes, we’ve embarked on that journey. Whatever we can get back, we will get it back and let Nigerians know. But we will not be able to confirm that we will restitute every victim. That may be practically impossible.”

 

In a positive development, the EFCC Chairman also announced that three suspects have been apprehended in connection with the scheme and are currently in custody, providing “very useful statements” to investigators.

 

“We have made arrests. Right now, we have about three people in our custody who have made very useful statements,” Olukoyede confirmed, underscoring the agency’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable.

“We have been so committed to this investigation because we have promised Nigerians. We have gone deep, we have gone far. We have established contact with our foreign counterparts, and we have been able to make some inroads.”

 

The unraveling of the CBEX scheme began in April when users reported their inability to withdraw funds. The Nigerian SEC had swiftly declared that the platform was not registered with the agency, further solidifying suspicions of fraudulent activity.

Adding to the legal pressure, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently granted the EFCC permission to arrest and detain six identified promoters of CBEX over allegations of a staggering $1 billion investment fraud. Furthermore, the EFCC had earlier declared a foreign national, Elie Bitar, wanted in connection with the scam, adding his name to a list of eight previously declared suspects.

 

While the news of traced funds offers a glimmer of hope for defrauded investors, the EFCC’s cautious statement regarding full restitution serves as a stark reminder of the challenges involved in recovering assets in complex, cross-border financial crimes. The investigation remains ongoing, with the agency vowing to pursue all available avenues to recover what it can for the victims.

 

Meanwhile, despite the alleged N1.2tn digital trading fraud that reportedly affected over 600,000 Nigerians, the embattled Crypto Bridge Exchange trading platform, accused of these acts, has resumed operations, announcing fresh withdrawal options in a move to restore investor confidence.

 

Two traders on the CBEX platform confirmed on Wednesday that the digital trading firm has quietly resumed operations, allowing new users to register, trade, and withdraw profits, despite ongoing investigations by regulatory agencies.

According to the sources, an insurance verification process and an external audit of the company’s financial records are currently underway to ascertain the actual amount lost in the scheme, which collapsed in April.

They added that existing investors, many of whom have been unable to access their funds for weeks, will be able to take out their funds starting from June 25, 2025, when the audit is expected to be concluded by an insurance firm based in the United Kingdom.

 

This development comes barely weeks after the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the platform illegal, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed an ongoing investigation into the firm’s operations.

 

CBEX, a digital investment platform, offered investors 100 per cent profit after 30 days of purported AI trading. The trading platform started operations in 2024 after receiving registration approval from the Corporate Affairs Commission on September 25, 2024, and the EFCC’s Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering on January 16, 2025.

No fewer than 600,000 Nigerians reportedly invested in the scheme and lost N1.2tn after it collapsed on April 14, 2025.

 

Miffed by the development, the EFCC declared eight persons wanted for promoting the program. They include Johnson Oteno, Israel Mbaluka, Joseph Michiro, Serah Michiro, Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.

On Monday, Adefowora Abiodun, a prominent leader and trader on the platform, voluntarily surrendered himself to the anti-graft agency for interrogation.

 

Other regulatory agencies, such as the SEC, also condemned the operations of the suspected Ponzi scheme, warning Nigerians to exercise extreme caution and steer clear of investment platforms that offer unrealistic returns under the guise of digital trading.

However, in defiance of regulatory warnings, fresh findings by The PUNCH on Wednesday revealed that more Nigerians are still being lured by promises of quick profits, with new users flocking to the platform in hopes of cashing in on its resumed operations.

One of the sources said in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, that withdrawal options on the CBEX platform had been reactivated, noting that while new accounts could process withdrawals, funds from older accounts—allegedly wiped—remained inaccessible for now.

The trader noted that the platform is making efforts to clear its name of any allegations of fraud or any association as a Ponzi scheme.

 

The source said, “People can now withdraw from the CBEX platform. The withdrawal option has been activated. Let me explain the withdrawal. The old account was wiped; you can’t take out funds from it yet. On the 14th of this month, the Artificial Intelligence on the platform traded 100 per cent, lost its trade, and wiped people’s money out.

“But now, the promoters are saying that the platform and the CBEX application are insured, with verification of funds ongoing by the insurance company. Now, previous investors who have $1,000 as their capital would have to inject $100, and the former account balance would be restored, while persons with over $1,000 would have to put in $200 to bring back the account balance. And we have started seeing people put in these funds to get back their money, and are using it to trade now, as I talk to you.

 

“According to the latest information shared, previous investors can only trade but not withdraw because the United Kingdom government is carrying out an audit on their financial account, which will be completed between 30 to 60 days. Hence, the reason why previous investors cannot withdraw their funds yet.

“But from June 25th, you can now withdraw up to 50 per cent of your capital from the old account. For example, if you invested $1,000 and you could only withdraw $200 before, from the 25th, you can withdraw $400 from the remaining $800 capital, then from August 25th, you can withdraw the remaining $400 capital. But if you don’t do the verification, it won’t reflect in your account.”

 

Another source explained that fresh investors are currently able to register new accounts, fund them, and withdraw profits without restrictions, as the newly created accounts are not subject to ongoing audits.

According to the source, only the old accounts remain under financial review.

The promoters also refute allegations of fraud, insisting that funds remain intact and that the ongoing audit was focused on reconciling discrepancies in old accounts.

 

“Currently, fresh investors can register a new account, fund it, and withdraw their profit. The new accounts are not under audit. It is the old account that is under review.

“What they are auditing is because the Federal Government said they scammed Nigerians of N1.2tn, and they are insisting that the amount is not up to half of the publicised amount. They are claiming only N126bn was lost, and that is the reason for the audit. But new accounts can now start investing and get their money. There is also a bonus for referrals that you can withdraw immediately, and this is ongoing currently.

“They just want to prove to Nigerians that they are not scammers. It was just because AI traded 100 per cent of the funds that the money was lost. There is a new group where people can say whatever they want to say; they also drop signals for trading three times a day, but it is no longer automated; you have to do it by yourself. They would give you a code; you just have to put it in your account and trade. If you notice any abnormality, you can cancel it. That was how it was before AI started doing the trading,” the source stated.

 

When questioned on why the audit was not conducted by the Nigerian government, a source explained, “The firm is registered in the United Kingdom, not in Nigeria. They merely extended their operations here. In fact, they also have branches in Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.”

 

Similarly, messages sent to a new Telegram group created for information sharing showed that a person could withdraw referral bonuses.

Addressing concerns from interested members in a user group, an admin identified simply as Laura stated that the specific cause of the platform’s issues was still under investigation, adding that the findings of the ongoing probe by the UK government would determine what is eventually made public.

 

The message read, “There are some factors in the incident on April 14th that I cannot tell you in detail. I can only tell you that Al was attacked and the trading strategy was tampered with.

“This is why some users who did not turn on HOSTING were able to survive. And this attack was definitely not from an individual, because Al’s firewall cannot be easily breached. Including the Bybit hacker incident last month, it was definitely not something that an individual could do. This was an organized and premeditated action.

“The specific cause is under investigation, and we need to wait for the official investigation results of the UK government before we make it public. As for this channel, some scammers affected by ST and online rumour mongers who received donations from scammers deliberately stigmatized the compensation.

“Some rumour mongers even claimed that CBEX administrators transferred more than $800m in assets. These are purely slanderous rumours. An exchange’s payment system can’t have only one common account. The payment system will randomly generate deposit addresses. These are all procedures of the exchange Including any wallet we use now will regularly update the deposit address.”

 

According to her, users must first accept the claims process initiated by the insurance company linked to the ST Fund firm.

She said, “We need to accept the claims processing of the insurance company that the ST fund company is tied to.”

The process involves verifying the authenticity of each account before any compensation can be issued for losses allegedly caused by the AI-related incident on April 14.

She added that many users have already begun receiving compensation.

 

“Moreover, the impact of this incident on the Internet has seriously exceeded our expectations. The UK government has also been negotiating with the Nigerian government.

“So the EFCC of Nigeria also contacted the CBEX official yesterday and provided absolute evidence through ST, proving that the ST fund company has indeed compensated users for their losses. You know the EFCC of Nigeria… If they are not absolutely sure, how can they have such courage to say to the public, ‘you will get your money back?’”

 

Efforts to get the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, reaction on the latest development proved abortive. He did not pick up calls to his line and was yet to respond to a message sent to him on the matter.

However in furtherance of its investigation, the anti corruption agency has declared a foreign national, Elie Bitar, wanted for his alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency investment fraud linked to the online trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange.

In a bulletin released on Wednesday via the commission’s official social media platforms, the EFCC called on members of the public with useful information about Bitar’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide or reach out through its hotlines and email.

His last known address, according to the EFCC, is Eng. George Enemoh Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

 

It read, “The public is hereby notified that ELIE BITAR, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC for fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange,” the statement read.

 

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has issued a strong advisory warning Nigerians against engaging in unregulated digital asset investment platforms, many of which exhibit traits of Ponzi and pyramid schemes.

In an advisory released on Wednesday, the NFIU flagged multiple online platforms—including eWealth Connect, WWCoin (also known as TOFRO), Delux, and ADK—as posing significant financial risks due to lack of regulatory oversight, unrealistic profit promises, and deceptive marketing tactics.

Among the platforms named, the NFIU described ADK, an investment and betting platform as dangerous to invest in due to its deceptive profit claims, multi-level agent system, and predatory practices in jurisdictions with limited investor protection.

 

The advisory partly read, “ADK is a high-risk investment and betting platform that profits through a 9 per cent withdrawal fee and investor losses, particularly targeting users in regions without compensation agreements.

“It operates with a multi-level agent system (e.g Junior/Gold Agents) where earnings depend on recruitment and trading losses, while advertising a deceptive 97 per cent win rate that hides low-profit margins. With its reliance on unsustainable recruitment rewards and selection. ADK exhibits strong red flags of a potential Ponzi scheme or scam, making it a dangerous platform for investors.”

 

The advisory also said EWC was identified as a community-driven trading platform launching on the Solana blockchain, offering daily P2P auctions and tiered investment packages.

NFIU said, “eWealth Connect is a decentralised, community-driven platform built on the Solana blockchain, designed to revolutionise digital asset trading through peer-to-peer (P2P) auctions. Launching in Q4 2024, it offers features like dual daily trading sessions, transparent pricing, and real-time settlements, with a focus on emerging markets like Nigeria.

‘’The platform’s native EWC token provides utility such as reduced fees, governance rights, and exclusive trading benefits. EWC emphasizes community empowerment, allowing users to participate in platform development and governance while offering tiered investment packages with projected returns. Despite its ambitious roadmap, including international expansion and NFT integration, the platform’s sustainability and regulatory compliance remain to be tested, warranting cautious evaluation by potential users.“

 

Despite its innovative design and roadmap, the NFIU cautioned that its regulatory compliance remains untested.

The NFIU also cautioned the citizens especially students, freelancers and content creators among others about Delux, a platform designed to help users to monetize their activities online.

“Delux is a platform designed to help users monetise their online activities, particularly through social media engagement (like TikTok), content creation, and completing daily tasks. It promotes financial freedom by offering flexible earning opportunities, such as referral rewards, task-based income, and content monetisation, with an emphasis on simplicity and accessibility.

“While it targets students, freelancers, and creators, users should verify its legitimacy, payment proofs, and terms to ensure it’s not a pyramid scheme or scam. Always research before investing time or money, “ the advisory stated.

 

The NFIU flagged WWCoin (TOFRO) as exhibiting “classic Ponzi characteristics with its unrealistic daily returns of up to 6 per cent, alongside aggressive deposit incentives and high withdrawal fees.

“WWCoin (aka TOFRO) is a newly launched trading platform (as of October 2024) that offers daily trading signals, deposit bonuses, and promises high returns (1 per cent profit per signal, totaling 6 per cent daily). Key features include a minimum deposit of $100, withdrawal fees (20 per cent before doubling funds, 10 per cent after), and extra signals for larger deposits.

“However, the platform raises significant red flags, such as unrealistic profit claims, high withdrawal fees, lack of regulatory transparency, and aggressive deposit incentives, all common traits of Ponzi schemes or high-risk scams,” the advisory noted.

 

The advisory highlighted common red flags Nigerians should watch out for, including guaranteed high returns with zero risk and the absence of regulatory approval or licensing.

“Unrealistic or Guaranteed Returns: Promises of fixed daily, weekly, or monthly ROI, e.g “5 per cent daily for life” or “15 per cent or more monthly return.” Claims like “your money works for you 24/7 with zero risk.” It is suspicious because legitimate investments tied to market performance cannot guarantee consistent high returns, especially with crypto volatility, “the advisory stated.

 

The advisory warned against schemes whose revenue depends on referrals rather than product or service delivery.

It said, “Overemphasis on Referrals and Affiliates: Income is primarily earned from recruiting new investors, not from actual product or trading activity. Referral bonuses or commissions for every new investor brought in. Classic pyramid and Ponzi structures rely on continuous recruitment to fund payouts. Use of Newly Created or Unknown Tokens: Platform issues its own token (e.g., “XToken” or “Pinkoin”) with no market value or external exchange listing. Promotes speculative token value without utility or governance model. Many Ponzi schemes mint fake tokens to simulate value and lure victims.

 

“Fake Partnerships and Credentials: False claims of affiliations with International Organisations like the United Nations, World Bank, Binance, Coinbase, etc. Fabricated endorsements by celebrities or government officials.”

 

The advisory added, “Opaque Business Model: Vague explanations of how profits are generated e.g.g “AI-driven crypto trading” or “quantum blockchain technology” with no evidence). No whitepaper, audited financials, or identifiable fund managers. It is a red flag because transparency is a hallmark of legitimate financial operations.

“Pressure to Act Quickly: Limited-time offers, countdown clocks, or “investment windows” that push urgency. Fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) tactics like “Top 100 users get double ROI!”. This discourages due diligence and encourages impulse investment. “

 

The NFIU urged investors to conduct due diligence, consult licensed financial advisers, and report suspicious platforms to relevant authorities.

 

Furthermore, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr Emomotimi Agama, has warned Nigerians that registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission does not confer legitimacy on any investment scheme operating in the country.

 

Speaking during a sensitisation tour against Ponzi schemes at the Garki Market in Abuja, Agama said, “CAC registration and EFCC certificate is not enough to show that a company is registered with SEC. These are red flags Nigerians must look out for.”

He noted that several companies, both Nigerian and foreign, have taken advantage of citizens by luring them into unregistered investment schemes, adding that the government will not sit back and allow billions of naira to be lost to such operations.

 

“It is disheartening that some Nigerians and foreign companies have specialised in duping people. The government won’t sit and watch Nigerians being defrauded. That is why the SEC is coming out to educate the people. If it’s too good to be true, then it is likely fraudulent,” Agama said.

The SEC boss added that the Investments and Securities Act, recently signed into law, provides a N20m fine and a 10-year jail term for those involved in Ponzi schemes. He said this new legal framework gives the Commission stronger enforcement powers to tackle illegal investment operations.

 

Agama further advised Nigerians to always verify the registration status of any investment platform with the SEC before committing their money, warning that training programmes used to lure people into such schemes are also illegal.