News
Aggrieved Investors Storm CBEX Lagos Office, Break Into Premises

…my wife pushed me into it, victim recounts ordeal
…my wife and I lost over $7,000, says another victim
Irate investors in the early hours on Wednesday, stormed the office of Crypto Bridge Exchange Smart-Treasures, widely known as CBEX, located at Number 166, Idimu Road, Seliat Bus Stop in the Egbeda-Idimu area of Lagos State, breaking into the premises in search of officials in charge over the crashed trading platform, with yet to be ascertained billions of money.
CBEX was an artificial intelligence-powered cryptocurrency trading platform that allows users to buy and sell digital assets with promises of “100 per cent returns every month.”
When Vanguard visited the office at Egbeda, Alimosho Local Government area of the state, the apparently angry affected investors in their large number, invaded the premises as early as 9 am, broke into the offices after forcing their way through the main gate but could not gain access into the main office.
The office which usually bubbles with various activities has remained deserted as no staff or security could be seen on sight.
The armed policemen, including Rapid Response Squad, RRS, who have been drafted to the area from Lagos State Police Command from Idimu Area “M’ later arrived the scene in their patrol vans at about 10 am to maintain security of lives and property, as well as to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
As at press time, it could not be confirmed if there was arrest of suspects involved in the scam or the landlord of the building housing CBEX.
Recall that the action followed high tensions last Friday when CBEX subscribers/investors started noticing that the platform had crashed, locking them out and rendering them unable to access their funds.
READ ALSO: CBEX: Investors Will Get Their Money Back – EFCC Assures
Responding to the CBEX experience, the Securities and Exchange Commission had reiterated that under the newly enacted Investments and Securities Act 2025, it is now illegal to operate any digital asset exchange or online forex trading platform in Nigeria without formal registration.
In a statement released earlier on Sunday, the SEC stressed that by the new law, “it is an offence in Nigeria for any entity that is not registered by the commission to carry out the business of online foreign exchange trading platforms or related services.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Vanguard observed some victims in tears who claimed to have lost millions of money on the crashed CBEX trading platform.
One of the victims, who simply identified himself as Mr. Segun, about 35yrs, lamented the situation calling on relevant authorities to come to victims’ aid.
According to Segun, “How do I start now.? This place is being used as their office for the crypto trading business called CBEX.
“I was actually confused initially because you see online one China Inner Beijing Equity Exchange and you see another CBEX which is this one, Crypto Bridge Exchange Smart-Treasures. They promised AI technology assisted Crypto trading and in 30 days we get 100 per cent returns of investment being done in dollars.
“You bring in naira equivalent of dollars and put it into CBEX account for trading with huge returns of investment. The persons that introduced me have been on the platform for months before it crashed now and gained huge amounts already. Someone, even built a house through it.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: EFCC Declares Sanwo-olu’s Ally, Lagos Socialite Wanted
“In the office, they displayed Nigerian Security Exchange, NSE, certificate, EFCC certificate displayed on their wall, lavishly furnished office that leaves no room for doubts. They conduct seminars every Wednesday and Saturday that are filled up. They just opened another office at Ikeja. They have at Ikorodu as well.
“I joined not quite long ago with $1, 700, about N1.7million investment, now I’m at crossroad. I got that money from a cooperative loan I collected with the plan of repaying after making my return.
”Someone, I know lost over $8,000, others, $4,000, and so on, running into trillions of naira.
“We use this opportunity to plead with government and relevant authorities to get on top of this and protect the citizens they swore to protect.
“My wife actually pushed me into it. She advised me strongly to take advantage of it that I should withdraw my dormant savings in First Bank and invest in CBEX. I did it, see where it landed me today. I thought I was smart before, but I have been scammed eventually.
“Though, a lot of people who joined earlier have made millions of naira from it. I was just unfortunate.
“These Ponzi operators do have targets. Once they attain some level of percentage of money then they strike.
READ ALSO: EFCC Arrests Bauchi Accountant General Over Alleged N70bn Fraud
“I just realized why they (scammers) scam people now. The kind of money they saw within the little time they started even they did not believe they could realize it. Over a trillion naira was realized.
“I was convinced and confused because they were into crypto trading which is a legitimate business. They said with crypto, if you put N1 million today you can also make N1 million immediately, making it N2 million in total and vice-versa.
“A pensioner, old man died yesterday because of the loss. He just held his chest and passed. Also, a medical doctor is on bed over the loss, at Abule Egba-Ilepo General Hospital now. About 50 nurses are affected, I can tell you authoritatively.
“We learnt that a victim, woman also committed suicide yesterday after learning of the crash. We learnt that she obtained a loan and handed it to her husband to invest in CBEX. Even ICT experts, bankers were also victims.
“Recently, in the last moment they (CBEX officials) were encouraging investors that the money is safe. At some point they said that scammers hacked into their account and have to repack everyone’s money for safety and when the coast is clear it would be restored before this bubble burst.”
Also, Mr. Victor Ozime, a victim, claimed he lost $4,000, while his wife lost $3,000. We are on ground zero. How do we finance our children school fees and pay house rent. I had so many plans for the money. Right now, I feel like ending it all.”
(VANGUARD)
News
JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

Nigerians may face a nationwide blackout from Monday as power generation companies have raised the alarm over an imminent shutdown of thermal plants following directives from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, Joy Ogaji, raised the alarm over the imminent blackout in a WhatsApp message on Sunday.
She revealed that gas suppliers had issued notices to halt supply to thermal power stations in line with PENGASSAN’s strike resolution.
READ ALSO:Why We Rejected Govt’s Plan To Sell Assets – PENGASSAN President
“Good day, all. Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply,” Ogaji said in the post.
She warned that the development could plunge the country into darkness, as hydroelectric dams alone cannot sustain the national grid.
“Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she added.
READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Shuts OML-18 Over Labour Dispute With NNPC Subsidiary
The warning comes hours after PENGASSAN announced that it would commence a nationwide strike on Monday to protest the dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The oil workers’ union, after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, directed its members in all oil and gas installations to down tools until the sackings were reversed.
The action could cripple crude production, fuel supply, gas distribution and now electricity generation, worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians.
With thermal stations accounting for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity supply, industry experts say the shutdown will trigger widespread outages, stretch hydro plants beyond capacity and heighten the risk of a nationwide system collapse.
News
Customs Launches One-stop-shop To Cut Cargo Clearance To 48 Hours

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has officially introduced its ‘One-Stop-Shop (OSS)’ initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.
NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Maiwada said the initiative was unveiled recently during a meeting between NCS management and Customs Area Controllers, chaired by the Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.
He said the meeting deliberated on the service’s modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.
READ ALSO:10 Things Candidates Should Know About Customs Recruitment CBT Exams
Maiwada quoted the C-G as describing the OSS as a “transformative shift” which aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.
Adeniyi said the reform was designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts and ensure predictability in customs procedures.
“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency and make our operations more business-friendly,” Adeniyi said.
The C-G acknowledged the role of technology in customs operations but also emphasised the importance of physical engagement with officers.
READ ALSO:Customs Seize N905m Rolls Royce, Other Contrabands In Ogun
“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence, coming together under one roof, adds weight and value to our deliberations,” he said.
The NCS boss said the reform would be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne Ports before being rolled out nationwide.
He added that the initiative was constitutionally supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent and trader-friendly Customs Service,” he said.
READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N5.1b Illicit Drugs From India, Canada At Lagos Airport
The spokesperson said that under the OSS framework, all customs units would work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays.
According to him, consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception, thereby reducing costs and enhancing trade facilitation.
He said the meeting also provided a platform to review the NCS accountability framework, including a new central dashboard that tracks clearance times, interventions and stakeholder satisfaction.
News
SEC Warns Nigerians Over AI-generated Investment Scams

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned Nigerians to be cautious of a rising wave of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven scams that are targeting unsuspecting investors with promises of guaranteed profits and fake celebrity endorsements.
The Commission, in a statement, recalled that platforms such as CBEX, Silverkuun, and TOFRO were operating illegally by advertising AI-powered trading systems that promised unrealistic returns.
“These platforms are not registered or regulated by the SEC, yet they continue to mislead the public with false claims of AI-driven investments. They pose serious risks to investors; hence, the Commission issued a series of disclaimers against their activities,” the Commission stated.
READ ALSO:20-year-old TikToker Peller Buys N350m Lekki Mansion, Promises To Reveal Secret Benefactors
The SEC explained that fraudsters are increasingly turning to deepfake videos and AI-generated content to lure victims, noting that manipulated videos featuring politicians, celebrities, and television hosts are being shared through Facebook adverts, Instagram reels, and Telegram groups to give fraudulent platforms an air of credibility.
According to the Commission, “Scammers are exploiting AI to fabricate endorsements and testimonials that appear genuine. This has made traditional fraud detection methods less effective, hence the need for tech-enabled regulation and greater public awareness.”
To counter the growing threat, the SEC explained that it is adopting advanced surveillance systems capable of detecting fraudulent activity in real time, adding that partnerships with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) are being strengthened to enable data sharing and joint enforcement actions.
READ ALSO:FG Security Agency, Nigerian Army Move To Tackle Illicit Small Arms, Light Weapons
“We are moving from reactive to predictive oversight. This is essential in combating fraud and systemic risks in our market,” the Commission emphasised.
The regulator said it has also engaged social media companies to clamp down on misleading adverts and cautioned influencers against promoting unlicensed investment schemes.
“Any influencer or blogger found to be complicit in promoting illegal platforms will face regulatory sanctions or even prosecution,” the SEC warned.
READ ALSO:US Commits $32.5m To Support Food Security In Nigeria
The Commission urged Nigerians to take extra precautions before investing, stressing that any scheme promising daily profits, zero risk, or celebrity-backed endorsements should be treated with suspicion.
It stated: “Any investment that guarantees unrealistic returns or uses manipulated videos of public figures should immediately raise a red flag.”
The Commission further encouraged Nigerians to verify the registration status of any investment platform on its website, where a list of licensed Capital Market Operators is available.
It added that investors should confirm that registration numbers displayed on company websites match the details on the SEC portal and avoid platforms that only operate through Telegram or WhatsApp without a verifiable office address.
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