Business
Top Ten Ponzi Schemes That Have Stolen From Nigerians
From MMM to CBEX, here’s a rundown of the most notable scams that have drained billions from Nigerians since 2016.
Despite repeated warnings by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria, , Nigerians continue to fall victim to Ponzi schemes promising quick returns.
From MMM to CBEX, here’s a rundown of the most notable scams that have drained billions from Nigerians since 2016.
1. MMM Nigeria (2016)
The most infamous Ponzi scheme in Nigeria’s history, MMM Nigeria promised returns of up to 30% within 30 days. The scheme attracted millions before it crashed in December 2016, leaving countless investors in financial ruin.
2. Ultimate Cycler, Get Help Worldwide, Twinkas, iCharity Club, Loopers Club, Givers Forum (2016)
These platforms emerged in the shadow of MMM’s popularity. Using referral networks and cycling models, they lured thousands with mouthwatering promises, only to vanish within months.
3. NNN Nigeria, MMM Cooperation, GCCH, RevoMoney (2017)
After the MMM crash, copycat schemes took over, rebranding old models with new names. NNN and MMM Cooperation tried to ride on the MMM name, exploiting previous participants who still hoped to recover losses.
4. Bitclub Advantage, Million Money, Helping Hands International (2018)
These schemes masqueraded as crypto-based platforms or charity networks.
They capitalized on the growing interest in digital currencies but delivered the same outcome — massive losses.
5. Loom and Crowd1 (2019)
Viral social media campaigns fueled the rise of Loom and Crowd1. Promoters used WhatsApp and Facebook to promise “double your money” schemes that quickly collapsed when recruitment stalled.
6. InksNation, Lion’s Share, Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative (2020)
InksNation promised a digital currency that would end poverty but was shut down by the SEC. Baraza claimed to be a cooperative but operated like a classic Ponzi, while Lion’s Share mimicked MLM structures.
7. Racksterli, Eagle Cooperative, 86FB (2020–2021)
These platforms used influencer marketing and sports betting gimmicks. 86FB, in particular, gained popularity before crashing spectacularly, taking millions from investors.
8. FINAFRICA, Royal Q (Nigeria version), Ovaioza (2022)
FINAFRICA used the lure of forex trading. Royal Q posed as a crypto trading bot, and Ovaioza claimed to store and sell agricultural produce. All failed to deliver on promised returns.
9. CALA Finance, 6Dollars Investment, Sidra Investment, WealthBuddy, Compoundly (2023–2024)
These new-age platforms were heavily marketed online. Sidra was a clone scam, while others mimicked DeFi and crypto investment trends, using hype and bonuses to attract victims.
10. BitFinance Global and CBEX (2025)
In the latest wave, BitFinance Global and CBEX are among the schemes already causing financial pain in 2025.
They repeat the same patterns — false claims, unrealistic returns, and eventual disappearance.
(Words and Image credit: Vanguard )
Business
CBN: 60 newly recruits staff laments three years of waiting without engagement
The concerned staff appealed to the CBN Governor, President Bola Tinubu, and other stakeholders to look into their plights, as economic hardship has taken a toll on them after about three years of leaving their jobs.
• CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso
A group of newly recruited staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have cried out over delayed posting and onboarding into various positions since August 28, 2023.
The Guardian reported that according to the employees, the Apex Bank issued the offer, which was followed by an acceptance copy and instructions to resign from their previous places of work, where applicable, as part of documentation.
“We all tendered resignation letters to our former employers at that time to enable us to proceed with the CBN process,” one of the affected employees, Emmanuel Linus Dabo, who spoke on behalf of others,, told newsmen on Monday.
According to him, the application process started in April 2023, where their resumé were submitted to the Headquarters of CBN, and after some time, they received emails from the Human Resources Department for interview and aptitude tests.
“We did a medical examination at the bank’s medical clinic, where a code was given to individual applicants before we could access the hospital.
After the interview and medical and aptitude tests, the successful applicants were contacted by the HR manager to come to CBN Headquarters in Abuja to pick up their offer letter. We filled the acceptance letter without delay,” he said.
He further stated that there was a series of e-mails from the Human Resources office requesting that they forward their credentials for the online documentation, including their acknowledged resignation letters from their previous employers…
The concerned staff appealed to the CBN Governor, President Bola Tinubu, and other stakeholders to look into their plights, as economic hardship has taken a toll on them after about three years of leaving their jobs.
Business
KPMG, NRS settle rifts over new tax laws
In its newsletter on January 9, KPMG said there are “errors, inconsistencies, gaps, omissions, and lacunae” in the new tax laws that require urgent reconsideration to ensure the achievement of their stated objectives.
KPMG executives and Zaach Adedeji, chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), held a meeting on Monday following the disagreement over the new tax laws.
In its newsletter on January 9, KPMG said there are “errors, inconsistencies, gaps, omissions, and lacunae” in the new tax laws that require urgent reconsideration to ensure the achievement of their stated objectives
However, on January 10, the presidential fiscal policy and tax reforms committee pushed back against KPMG’s critique, noting that KPMG does not understand the laws.
The committee said a significant proportion of the issues described as “errors,” “gaps,” or “omissions” by KPMG are either the firm’s own errors and invalid conclusions, or matters not properly understood by the firm.
In a statement on Monday, the NRS said that Adedeji hosted a courtesy visit from the delegation of the tax advisory firm.
” During the visit, the KPMG team clarified that their earlier opinion on the new tax laws “had been misconstrued and expressed regret over the misunderstanding.
“They sought further clarity on the provisions of the laws and highlighted areas where recommendations could be made.”
The source said that the meeting ended with the delegation commended the NRS chairman for efficiently and promptly implementing the reforms.
Business
IMF to release January 2026 World Economic Outlook update on Monday
The January WEO Update is expected to provide revised global growth forecasts and insights into inflation trends, monetary policy direction, and key risks facing the global economy in 2026.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will release its January 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The report will be presented during a press conference hosted at the National Bank of Belgium in Brussels.
The press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The Brussels time and will be streamed live via the IMF website and Press Centre, allowing journalists to participate both in person and virtually.
The IMF’s economic assessment will be presented by Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Economic Counselor and director of the Research Department; Petya Koeva Brooks, deputy director of the Research Department; and Deniz Igan, Division Chief, Research Department.
The January WEO Update is expected to provide revised global growth forecasts and insights into inflation trends, monetary policy direction, and key risks facing the global economy in 2026.
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