Interpol joins hunt for CBEX operators as Nigerian investors await recovery of life savings
By TheWatch.NG
The Nigerian government has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent investment schemes following the collapse of the digital asset platform CBEX, which left over 600,000 investors in Nigeria and Kenya reeling from losses estimated at more than ₦1.3 trillion.
This development has triggered swift responses from both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who have pledged to track down the perpetrators and recover investors’ funds.
Authorities Step In
Speaking during separate live interviews on Arise News and Channels TV, the Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, and the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that investigations are well underway.
Agama stated that while no formal complaints had yet reached the SEC as of Wednesday, the agency was prepared to swing into action to locate and prosecute those behind CBEX. He reiterated the Commission’s longstanding warnings against unregistered platforms that promise unrealistic returns.
“This is a criminal offense under the new Investment and Securities Act 2025. Nigerians must make inquiries before investing,” Agama said, revealing the Senate had recently approved ₦10 billion for a market education campaign spearheaded by the SEC.
On its part, the EFCC disclosed that it had been tracking CBEX long before the public outcry. “We were not waiting for Nigerians to call us before starting our work,” Oyewale said on Channels TV. “We are working with INTERPOL and international agencies to bring the operators to book.”
Public Outrage and Despair
CBEX, which advertised itself as an AI-powered crypto trading platform, promised investors a 100% return in 30 days. As panic spread over the past weekend, users reported being locked out of their accounts and having their balances wiped. Some were even asked to pay “verification” fees to unlock their funds — a telltale sign of a Ponzi scheme.
Anger boiled over on Monday when aggrieved investors stormed the Ibadan office of Smart Treasure, an affiliate of CBEX. Videos shared on social media showed office equipment and documents being carted away as victims demanded answers.
One user on X wrote:
“My mum put in her entire pension. How do I tell her it’s all gone?”
Another tweeted:
“EFCC, please save us. We believed CBEX because influencers made it look legit.”
What’s Next?
While both agencies have assured that efforts are underway to recover the stolen funds, they cautioned that the process may take time.
“No, it will be very irresponsible and unprofessional if the EFCC says that you have lost your money. Investors will get their money back,” Oyewale said. “We are working with Interpol to bring all the actors to book.”
The SEC, meanwhile, is ramping up its investor protection efforts, including plans to launch a dedicated capital market radio station and expand its physical presence across Nigeria.
Staying Safe: What to Know
Experts warn that many Ponzi schemes share the same red flags:
Guaranteed high returns in short timeframes
No verifiable registration with regulatory agencies
Vague or overly technical business models
Pressure to “invite” others to earn more
Poor or absent customer service
Nigerians are urged to verify any investment platforms through the SEC’s official website or report suspicious activity directly to the agency or EFCC.
Final Word
The CBEX collapse is a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking in the booming but unregulated digital investment space. As investigations continue and hopes for recovery grow, authorities are calling for vigilance, skepticism, and better public awareness.
