SEC pledges continuous enforcement against ponzi schemes

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has assured the investing public that it will continue to deploy its enforcement mechanisms including collaboration with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders in its bid to curtail the activities of Ponzi schemes.

This assurance was given by the Executive Commissioner Operations, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Dayo Obisan during an Investor Education Programme for staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Abuja.

Represented by Director Market Development Department, Mr. Nestor Ikeagu, Obisan said the promoters of these unscrupulous schemes pose as operators in the capital market to defraud investors of their money with mouth-watering promises of return on investments.

According to Obisan, “this has made it difficult for investors to differentiate between genuine and false investment opportunities. The activities of these Ponzi schemes promoters have posed a huge challenge to the Commission. In combating them, we are working in collaboration with other agencies to nip their activities in the bud.

“Also, the Commission is working tirelessly to ensure investors are aware of these nefarious activities through investor education programmes. We urge the FRSC to partner with us in the fight against Ponzi schemes by reporting to the SEC anytime such activities are noticed. We can be reached via www.sEC.gov.ng, +234-094621168 and the SEC social media handles.”

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He expressed the hope that the programme will give participants an overview of the capital market and afford them the opportunity to learn how to invest in the Nigerian capital market Including Collective Investment Schemes being managed by professionals in addition to exposing participants to the activities of Ponzi schemes and how to identify them.

The Executive Commissioner disclosed that the SEC has a dual mandate to regulate and develop the Nigerian capital market that is fair and orderly, and engenders investor confidence adding that a key aspect of the SEC’s market development role is enlightenment and investor education.

In his remarks, Acting Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr. Dauda Biu stated the need for officers of the corps to be financially literate.

Represented by Corps Commander Anume Osuamkpe, Biu said Nigerians would only be able to avoid fraudulent investment schemes if they have the requisite knowledge.

He said, “This training is very important as it will enable staff of the FRSC have knowledge of the workings of these fraudulent schemes and know how to avoid them.

“It will also help them know the products available in the capital market and aid them in taking decisions of how to invest their funds wisely.”

Mr. Biu lamented that many Nigerians have lost huge sums of money to these Ponzi schemes as the operators approach victims with mouth-watering offers that are sometimes too difficult to resist.

“But with programmes like these, Nigerians will be able to know the right investments and how to access such investments in the capital market,” he added.