The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned Nigerians against investing in unregistered online investment schemes being aggressively promoted on social media platforms, cautioning that many of them exhibit characteristics of Ponzi schemes.
The warning was contained in a public notice dated May 8, 2026, and published on the commission’s official communication channels.
According to the apex capital market regulator, several online platforms promising guaranteed or unrealistic returns are neither registered nor authorised to operate within Nigeria’s capital market. The schemes are being widely promoted on digital platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Facebook, TikTok, and other social media channels.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the increasing promotion of unregistered online investment schemes on social media applications and websites,” the SEC stated.
It added that many of the schemes display features commonly associated with Ponzi or prohibited investment arrangements, while some operators also provide unauthorised investment services to unsuspecting members of the public.
The SEC warned that investors who patronise such platforms risk losing their funds to fraudulent operators, stressing that promises of unusually high or guaranteed returns should be treated as red flags.
The commission urged Nigerians to avoid participating in unregistered online investment schemes and to refrain from relying on financial advice from unlicensed individuals or entities. Only operators registered with the SEC are legally permitted to provide investment and advisory services within Nigeria’s capital market.
The SEC advised prospective investors to verify the registration status of any investment company, platform, or promoter before committing funds through the commission’s dedicated verification portal.
