News Highlights:
- Scammers created a WhatsApp group, “Value Focus Club 60,” using the image of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and the number +234 915 708 8290 to promote fake investment schemes and deceive unsuspecting victims.
- Access Holdings has disowned the scheme, warning that no legitimate investment advice is offered via WhatsApp, and advising the public to block, report, and avoid sharing personal or banking information.
A fraudulent WhatsApp investment scheme has emerged in which scammers are impersonating the Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The scam operators reportedly created a WhatsApp group named “Value Focus Club 60” using the phone number +234 915 708 8290.
They are also said to have used the image of the Access Holdings chairman to lend credibility to the fake investment platform.
According to emerging reports, the impersonators are promoting bogus investment opportunities and attempting to lure individuals into sharing personal and financial information under false pretences.
Digital TimesNG understands that Access Holdings has not officially issued investment advisory services through WhatsApp, and there is no legitimate investment group operated by its chairman on the messaging platform.
The company has also clarified that any such claims circulating on WhatsApp are fraudulent and should be disregarded.
A whistle-blower is said to have first raised the alarm after discovering the suspicious group activity, prompting wider awareness efforts to prevent potential victims from falling prey to the scheme.
Stakeholders and cybersecurity observers have reiterated that members of the public should exercise caution and avoid engaging with unsolicited investment offers circulating on social media platforms, particularly those that impersonate high-profile business leaders.
Members of the public are advised to take the following precautions: avoid joining the group, refrain from sharing personal or banking details, block and report the number on WhatsApp, and alert others to prevent further victimisation.
Access Holdings is reportedly working with relevant platforms and authorities to have the fraudulent account and group taken down, while urging the public to remain vigilant against evolving online scams.