E-Financial
Four Red Flags Nigerians Ignored until CBEX Crashed- DUBAWA
It has not been a pleasant week for thousands of Nigerians who have again fallen for another money scam.
According to DUBAWA, a West African independent verification and fact-checking project, several persons on various social media platforms have begun to count their losses as CBEX, a popular digital asset trading platform, reportedly wiped out over N1.3 trillion from Nigerian investors’ accounts.
The platform collapsed after funds disappeared from users’ wallets, withdrawals were postponed, and communication channels were locked.
Taiwo Owolabi, a security analyst, recently released an analysis showing how investors’ funds were diverted through funnel wallets and finally into a central wallet, which now holds a total of $857 million in USDT.
The security expert concluded that CBEX was just another Ponzi scheme.
When CBEX promised a mouth-watering 100 per cent return on crypto investments in 30 days, many Nigerians rushed to invest just like they did with the defunct MMM.
However, despite the crash, CBEX has asked some investors to pay $100 and $200 verification fees to access partial withdrawals.
Now that the chips are down, it’s time to ask: “How did we not see this coming?”
Below are four red flags about CBEX that investors ignored.
- No regulatory approval
CBEX operated without registration or approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Still, many Nigerians invested, assuming legitimacy because the platform looked flashy. This has become a pattern, as in previous cases where Nigerians got duped, the platforms were unregistered.
SEC has since warned Nigerians against investing in unregistered online forex and digital asset platforms, saying that operating such businesses without registration is now illegal under the new Investment and Securities Act (ISA).
Lesson: Always verify a platform’s regulatory status before putting your money in.
- Anonymous founders
CBEX’s website and Application did not list identifiable owners or executives. To gain credibility, CBEX masqueraded as a crypto platform, talking about “blockchain,” “trading bots,” and “AI-powered systems.” However, it had no verifiable trades or links to legitimate crypto exchanges. It used tech jargon to mislead its users.
Lesson: Transparency is a minimum requirement. If you don’t know who runs it, don’t trust it.
- Unrealistic returns on investment, withdrawal issues
While there is no ideal return on investments (ROI), excessively high ROIs or ones that appear too good to be true are usually a call for caution.
CBEX promised investors returns of up to 100 per cent in 30 days. That looks like a classic Ponzi red flag.
As seen in the past, these kinds of returns are unsustainable, but they remain effective bait that can appeal to anyone’s greed.
At first, CBEX worked. Users were getting paid even though Owolabi claimed the platform initially used one investor’s money to pay another until it could not.
Just before the crash, many users reported delays in withdrawing their funds. CBEX blamed this on “system upgrades” and “network issues,” which is a tactic common with failing schemes.
Lesson: High, guaranteed returns are a red flag, and consistent withdrawal delays indicate that the system is drying up. That’s usually when the exit strategy begins.
- Influencer endorsements and peer pressure
The Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) does not respect age, especially when influencers, friends, and families are involved. However, the misuse of trust through misinformation is common in fraud schemes.
CBEX’s biggest marketing weapon was social media hype and word-of-mouth pressure. The platform relied heavily on trust networks.
From WhatsApp statuses to Facebook pages and TikTok videos, CBEX grew viral through a coordinated network of testimonials. People shared real and fake proof of payment screenshots and emotional success stories.
When friends and family members innocently vouched for it, people ignored other red flags and pumped money into the scheme.
Lesson: Social proof is not due diligence. Always investigate platforms independently, even if people you trust are involved.
Conclusion
CBEX’s collapse is not new; unfortunately, it may not be the last. DUBAWA urges investors to adopt a fact-checking mindset when approached with financial opportunities. Scams thrive on ignorance and trust. Our best defence is verification, not hope.
DUBAWA is a West African independent verification and fact-checking project, initiated by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and supported by the most influential newsrooms and civic organisations in West Africa to help amplify the culture of truth in public discourse, public policy, and journalistic practice.
It has a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia.
ChatPay has launched Africa’s conversational banking platform, enabling individuals and businesses to access financial services through WhatsApp.
The Lagos-based fintech startup, is in controlled rollout, connecting WhatsApp to linked-bank management, airtime and supported electricity payments through simple conversations.
The company said the platform is designed to enable users to send money, pay bills, buy airtime and manage business transactions within WhatsApp conversations, subject to the completion of regulatory approvals and integration with licensed banking partners.
According to ChatPay, the platform is operated by CP Technology Limited and is currently undergoing a phased rollout ahead of its planned public launch.
The company said the initiative is intended to simplify access to financial services by leveraging WhatsApp, which it estimates is used by more than 50 million Nigerians monthly.
Speaking on the idea behind the platform, Adeoluwasubomi Odebunmi, product lead and co-founder, said the concept emerged while she was studying Software Engineering at Babcock University.
“I saw the gap while I was still in school—how much friction there was just to move money. I didn’t want to just study the problem. I wanted to help fix it,” she said.
Odebunmi said she had previously worked on software solutions spanning e-commerce, real estate management, school administration and artificial intelligence applications before co-founding ChatPay.
Aseoluwa Siyanbola, growth lead and co-founder, said his experience managing Nigerian bank accounts while studying abroad highlighted some of the challenges users face with digital banking services.
According to him, difficulties such as one-time password (OTP) failures and inconsistent banking applications inspired the team to explore conversational banking solutions.
“We each encountered similar challenges and came together to build a solution that simplifies everyday financial transactions,” he said.
cAbraham William, tech lead and co-founder, said the company is focused on improving access to financial services through a platform that many Nigerians already use daily.
“We want to make financial services easier to access by allowing people to carry out transactions through a familiar messaging platform,” he said.
William said he oversees the company’s engineering, technology strategy and system architecture.
ChatPay said its services will be introduced in phases as regulatory requirements are met and integrations with banking partners are completed.
The company added that its newly launched “Founding 2,500” programme will enable selected early users to test features, provide feedback and participate in product development before the platform’s wider rollout.
According to the company, interested users can register for the waitlist and the Founding 2,500 programme through its website.
Founded by Odebunmi, Siyanbola and William, ChatPay said its long-term goal is to expand conversational banking services beyond Nigeria into other African markets after its domestic rollout.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named Nigeria’s Best Bank for Retail Banking and Best Bank for Sustainability Leadership (ESG) at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.
The awards were presented on July 17 at The Peninsula London in the United Kingdom, recognising financial institutions that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, customer impact and sustainable banking practices.
The double recognition highlights UBA’s growing influence in retail banking and its commitment to advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its operations.
According to Euromoney, UBA distinguished itself through a series of sustainability initiatives, including the introduction of a Green Financing Facility designed to support households and businesses transitioning to renewable energy.
The publication also cited the bank’s ₦5 billion financing programme, implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), to provide funding for women-owned businesses.
Euromoney further recognised UBA’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, describing it as a demonstration of the bank’s long-term sustainability strategy.
The publication also highlighted the bank’s efforts to integrate sustainability into its operations through the deployment of solar-powered energy solutions across 50 branches and comprehensive ESG capacity-building programmes that have trained more than 16,000 employees across the UBA Group.
In the retail banking category, Euromoney noted that UBA continued to consolidate its position as one of Africa’s largest retail banking institutions.
According to the publication, the bank expanded its customer base to more than 37 million by the end of 2025, while retail banking revenue increased more than fourfold to ₦429.5 billion.
The awards also recognised UBA’s continued investment in digital banking innovation, particularly enhancements to its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, LEO.
Euromoney noted that LEO became Africa’s first AI-powered banking platform to facilitate cross-border money transfers in local currencies through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
Commenting on the awards, UBA’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oliver Alawuba, described the recognition as a validation of the bank’s commitment to delivering value to customers while promoting sustainable development across Africa.
“To be recognised as Nigeria’s Best Bank for both ESG and Retail Banking in the same year sends a powerful message that sustainable banking and commercial success are mutually reinforcing.
“At UBA, we are committed to financing Africa’s future, supporting businesses and communities, promoting financial inclusion, and delivering innovative banking solutions that improve lives.
“These awards belong to our customers for their confidence in us and to every member of the UBA family whose dedication continues to make our vision a reality,” he said.
Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Marketing, Brand and Corporate Communications, Mrs Alero Ladipo, said the awards reflected the bank’s unwavering commitment to putting customers at the centre of its operations.
According to her, every innovation, investment and banking solution introduced by UBA is aimed at creating exceptional value for customers while expanding access to financial services.
“These awards are a powerful affirmation of our Customer First philosophy.
“Whether it is supporting entrepreneurs with access to finance, enabling seamless digital payments, advancing clean energy financing or expanding financial inclusion across Africa, UBA remains focused on delivering meaningful impact.
“We are honoured that one of the world’s most respected financial publications has recognised these efforts,” she said.
UBA currently operates in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, serving more than 45 million customers through a combination of digital banking platforms and physical branch networks.
The bank said it remains committed to strengthening financial inclusion, driving innovation and supporting sustainable economic development across Africa and beyond.
Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has begun paying insured deposits to customers of the 46 recently failed microfinance banks.
Mr Thompson Sunday, managing director and chief executive, NDIC, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The interview took place on the sidelines of the International Association of Deposit Insurers Africa Regional Committee meeting.
Sunday said the corporation was using the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBBS) and customers’ Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for the payments.
He said the NDIC had traced depositors’ alternative bank accounts and credited them directly without requiring physical visits.
He advised depositors without BVNs to visit the nearest NDIC zonal office for verification and payment processing
“The CBN revoked the licences of the 46 microfinance banks on July 1, 2026,” he said.
He said the NDIC automatically became the provisional liquidator after the revocation, in line with the law.
Sunday said the corporation had commenced payment of the insured maximum deposit of N2 million to eligible customers.
He explained that further payments would depend on the recovery of the failed banks’ assets and outstanding debts.
He said proceeds realised from recoveries would be distributed as liquidation dividends to eligible depositors.
Sunday cited Heritage Bank, Aso Savings and Union Homes as examples of the NDIC’s prompt reimbursement efforts.
He said insured depositors of Heritage Bank were paid within four days of the revocation of its licence.
He added that customers of Aso Savings and Union Homes received payments within 72 hours.
“The law allows us 30 days, but we are working to surpass our previous records,” he said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the banks’ licences for failing to meet regulatory requirements for continued operations.
The apex bank said the action was aimed at protecting depositors, strengthening financial stability and ensuring regulatory compliance.
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