By Jane Okafor, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has assured Nigerians that efforts were made to trace and recover the N1.3 trillion stolen funds from the crashed digital investment platform, CryptoBank Exchange (CBEX).
The EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, who gave the assurance on Wednesday while speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief,’ however, recalled that the commission had taken proactive steps to educate the public about illegal and unrealistic investment schemes before now.
CBEX, a digital trading company of Chinese origin, allegedly crashed on Monday, leaving thousands of Nigerian investors groaning and frustration when they were unable to access their funds.
Trending videos showed a number of the victims lamenting their losses, even as some others in anger invaded the CBEX offices in Ibadan, Lagos and reportedly looted the digital financial firm’s properties.
However, the EFCC assured that efforts were underway to trace and recover the stolen funds.
The commission said it was working closely with international partners, including Interpol.
“It would be very irresponsible and unprofessional of the EFCC to say you have lost your money and there is nothing the commission can do about it,” Oyewale said.
“We’re already working with Interpol and international development agencies to ensure that these people are brought to book. Investors are going to get their money back.”
While he cautioned that recovery may not happen immediately, he insisted the commission would not abandon victims of the scam.
“Escapism is not a solution to any problem. The EFCC, as Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agency, will not allow investors to just lose their money like that. We are more responsible and professional than that,” Oyewale concluded.
The commission also restated its warnings to Nigerians about the dangers of Ponzi schemes, following the collapse of digital investment platform CBEX, which has reportedly swindled investors of over N1.3 trillion.
“You’ll recall that on March 11 this year, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, instructed us to alert Nigerians about 58 Ponzi scheme companies,” Oyewale said.
