EFCC arrests operators of Ponzi scheme in Rivers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has arrested 19 staff of a fake investment company floating an alleged Ponzi scheme that has defrauded the public to the tune of over N2bn. 

The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that the company, Bluekey Investment Club, operating from Sonia Mall at 42 Woji Road, Port Harcourt, was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a software development and general contracting firm, but allegedly veered into an interest-yielding Ponzi scheme with 10 percent weekly returns on investment over six months.  

Uwujaren said the scheme also promised total return of invested capital after six months.He said: “Nineteen staff of the company were rounded up on Friday in Port Harcourt. Among them are five principal officers: Princess Tsaroigbara (public relations officer); Onwusa Frances Chineze (accountant); Naabe Gunugu (payment confirmation staff), Tambari Success (customer service) and Anorue Maureen (receptionist).” 

He said chairman of the company, Neenwi Swanu was at large as at the time of arrest, adding that Tsaroigbara told interrogators that her company was into “digital financial and other technological services” and was not sure if the organisation was fully registered with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).  

Scores of defrauded customers thronged the company’s premises, seeking EFCC’s intervention.Items recovered from the company include computer units and the sum of N459, 300.