SEC Warns Public against Another Suspected Ponzi Scheme, Tofro

SEC Warns Public against Another Suspected Ponzi Scheme, Tofro

•Urges Nigerians to Verify Investment Platforms Before Committing Funds 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has uncovered another suspected illegal investment platform identified as TOFRO.COM (Tofro), warning Nigerians against falling for their antics to obtain money through promises of usually high returns.

The Commission raised the alarm in a notice issued yesterday and made available to journalists.

The warning is coming barely a month after the alleged N1.2tn digital trading fraud perpetrated by the embattled Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) trading platform that reportedly affected over 600,000 Nigerians.

In the notice, SEC warned that the suspected investment platform holds itself out as a cryptocurrency trading platform, adding that such an investment scheme is not registered by the Commission.

SEC stated that based on its investigations, Tofro’s operations exhibit the typical indicators of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme, including the promise of unusually high returns, heavy reliance on a referral system to sustain pay-outs and failure to honour withdrawal requests from subscribers.

Consequently, the SEC strongly advised Nigerians to be wary about investing with Tofro, noting that any person who places such investment with the entity, does so at their own risk.

The notice further reads, “The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the activities of an online platform known as TOFRO.COM (Tofro), which holds itself out as a cryptocurrency trading platform.

“The Commission hereby informs the public that the Tofro is NOT REGISTERED by the Commission either to solicit investments from the public or operate in any other capacity within the Nigerian capital market.

“Investigations have revealed that Tofro’s operations exhibit the typical indicators of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme, including the promise of unusually high returns, heavy reliance on a referral system to sustain pay-outs and failure to honour withdrawal requests from subscribers.

“Accordingly, the public is strongly advised to be wary about investing with Tofro, as any person who places such investment with the entity, does so at his/her own risk.

“The Commission similarly reminds potential investors of the need to VERIFY the registration status of investment platforms via the Commission’s dedicated portal: www.sec.gov.ng/cmos before transacting with them.”

The SEC Director-General, Emomotimi Agama had said it is crucial that Nigerians understand the dangers of putting their hard-earned money into ventures that are not registered or regulated by the SEC.