By Sunday Etuka
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised Nigerians refrain from dealing with unlicensed or illegal financial operators.
CBN said, the illegal financial operators lure and defraud unsuspecting members of the public by offering extra-ordinary returns on investments as bait.
The apex bank urged members of the public to verify the registration and license status of companies and schemes before investing in them.
CBN through its Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC) said, the information was necessary because of the increasing activities of the Illegal Financial Operators (IFOs) which portends grave risk to public confidence and the stability of the Nigerian Financial System.
A statement signed by the Committee’s Secretary said: “the FSRCC in its continuing efforts to end the scourge of IFOs in Nigeria, hereby issues the following advisory:
“The general public is advised to refrain from dealing with unlicensed or illegal financial operators, who lure and defraud unsuspecting members of the public by offering extra-ordinary returns on investments as bait.
“Members of the public are advised to visit the websites of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other relevant member agencies of the FSRCC to verify the registration and license status of such companies and schemes before investing in them.
“You are also advised to report any individual or entities suspected to be involved in such nefarious activities to the law enforcement agencies.
“Financial Regulatory agencies shall continue to carry out all necessary due diligence before registering/licensing any operator under their regulatory purview. In addition, Agencies shall refer to relevant supervisory authorities for confirmation before finalizing on any registration/licensing application.
“Member agencies are encouraged to engage in regular sensitization
campaigns on the threats posed by the activities of Illegal Financial Operators.
“Further enquiries should be addressed to:
A) The Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Central Bank of Nigeria, and / or
B) The Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission”.
