Abuja: Some victims of Ponzi schemes have lamented their losses on their investment worth billions of Naira. Some of the victims, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also appealed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to step up actions against the schemes by fishing out and stopping them early before they achieve their dubious aim. They also advised citizens against investing in the platforms, saying their operations were filled with cruelty and criminality.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Ikenna Osuoha, a victim of one of the schemes, said he was swindled of his hard-earned money of more than N700,000. Osuoha alleged that some operatives of the scheme known as ‘e-wet connect’ had threatened him when he confronted them with his reports to SEC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He said that the company was still going around organizing seminars and workshops for citizens in states. Osuoha called on SEC to investigate and burst the scheme because they are swindling innocent Nigerians.
Mr Emmanuel Atuma, a victim of the recent Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), said he lost 300 dollars to the scheme. Atuma, who wondered why CBEX resumed its operations, called on SEC and the necessary regulatory actions to take decisive steps toward bringing the operators to book. He said that bringing CBEX operators to book would serve as a deterrent to those planning to lure people into the scheme.
Mrs Elizabeth Okechukwu, a victim of the Mavrodi, Mavrodi, and Melnikova (MMM) Ponzi scheme, said that citizens fell prey to the scheme due to greed and undue quest for money. Okechukwu advised citizens to quit the money doubling mindset and work for their money.
Ms Osaro Musa, a business lady, said she invested her trade settlement money in a Ponzi scheme thinking it would double so that she could use it to start up her own business. Musa expressed her frustration and shared how she had to take various measures to replace the money she lost.
Meanwhile, SEC had vowed to take decisive action against illegal fund operators and prosecute those who refused to stop their fraudulent activities. Ms Frana Chukwuogor, the Commission’s Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, emphasized the importance of reaching out to the public to prevent further victimization. She stated that education is the first line of defense in protecting citizens from these schemes.