By Daniel Okonkwo
In recent years, Ponzi schemes have become a growing menace in Nigeria, exploiting the financial desperation of many individuals searching for high-yield investments. With the economic challenges facing the country, many Nigerians are eager to find quick and easy ways to grow their money. Unfortunately, this desperation has made them vulnerable to fraudulent investment schemes that promise unrealistically high returns with little or no risk.
A Ponzi scheme is a type of financial fraud where returns are paid to earlier investors using funds from new investors rather than from legitimate business profits. These schemes, often disguised as investment opportunities, eventually collapse when new investments dry up, leaving many participants with significant financial losses.
As technology evolves, so do Ponzi schemes. Cryptocurrency-based Ponzi schemes have emerged as a new form of investment fraud, exploiting the complexities of digital assets. These schemes promise high returns under the guise of crypto trading, mining, or staking but operate similarly to traditional Ponzi schemes. Instead of actual investments, new deposits are used to pay earlier investors until the system collapses.
Many unsuspecting Nigerians have lost their savings to crypto Ponzi schemes promoted through social media, celebrity endorsements, and even trusted acquaintances. The appeal of digital currency and the lack of clear regulations around crypto investments have made it easier for fraudsters to deceive investors.
Ponzi schemes are not limited to online spaces; they have infiltrated physical markets and close-knit communities. Fraudsters actively visit local markets to lure traders, many of whom have little knowledge of financial investments.
A notable example occurred last year at Kaura Modern Market in Abuja, where Ponzi scheme operators defrauded traders of their hard-earned money. The perpetrators promised high returns, convincing traders to invest their capital. By the time the scheme collapsed, many traders were left in financial ruin.
Similarly, in another case, a famous Nigerian artist was implicated in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded some of his fans. While some argue that the artist may not have been fully aware of the fraudulent activities, his lack of an official statement has left many victims without answers or compensation.
These incidents highlight a troubling pattern: Ponzi schemes often thrive with the help of trust—whether through family, friends, or public figures.
The term “Ponzi scheme” originates from Charles Ponzi, an Italian businessman who defrauded investors in the early 20th century. However, similar fraudulent schemes date back even further.
From 1869 to 1872, Adele Spitzeder orchestrated a Ponzi-like scheme in Germany, while Sarah Howe targeted women in the United States in the 1880s through the “Ladies’ Deposit,” promising 8% monthly returns. Howe was eventually caught and imprisoned. Even classic literature, such as Charles Dickens’ novels Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) and Little Dorrit (1857), describes schemes resembling modern Ponzi frauds.
Recognizing the widespread financial damage caused by Ponzi schemes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued multiple warnings and taken legal action against fraudulent investment companies. In a recent public statement, the EFCC identified 58 illegal Ponzi scheme operators defrauding Nigerians.
The commission warned that these firms are neither registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nor the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), making their operations illegal. Regulatory bodies confirmed that these companies lack the required approval to function as legitimate investment firms.
Some of the companies named by the EFCC include:
Wales Kingdom Capital
Bethseida Group of Companies
AQM Capital Limited
Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited
Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech
Green Eagles Agribusiness Solution Limited
Oxford International Group and Oxford Gold Integrated
MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited
Crowdyvest Limited
Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited
Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited
The EFCC revealed that several of these companies have been charged to court, with five already convicted, five awaiting sentencing, and others pending trial.
To protect yourself from falling victim to Ponzi schemes, consider the following red flags:
Be cautious of investment opportunities that promise extremely high returns with little or no risk. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a Ponzi scheme
Investment firms openly disclose their business models, risks, and financial activities. Ponzi schemes, on the other hand, often operate in secrecy.
Always verify that an investment company is registered with the CBN or SEC before committing any funds.
Ponzi schemes rely on new investments to sustain payouts. If an investment program requires you to bring in new members to earn profits, it is likely fraudulent.
Be wary of schemes that use complex or unclear explanations to justify their earnings.
The rise of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria stresses the need for financial education and vigilance. Fraudsters prey on trust and desperation, using familiar faces, social media, and market interactions to lure victims.
The EFCC and other regulatory bodies are working to combat fraudulent investment schemes, but the responsibility also lies with individuals to conduct thorough research before investing. Nigerians must remain cautious and skeptical of any scheme that promises quick and unrealistic financial gains.
In the words of the EFCC: “Exercise caution before investing in any financial schemes and verify the legitimacy of investment firms through appropriate regulatory bodies.”
By staying informed and spreading awareness, we can collectively fight against financial fraud and protect our hard-earned money.
Daniel Okonkwo Profiles International Human Rights Advocate
