There was quite a fracas at the Police Headquarters in Calabar yesterday as investors of a Ponzi scheme turned out in mass to see the scheme operator arrested after trying to run away with 1billion naira.
Operator of Swiss Gold Ponzi scheme, Mrs Lizzy Efa has been arrested by the Nigerian Police at the border between Nigeria and Cameroon in Bakassi, while trying to flee from the country.
The Operator was planning to disappear after defrauding people of huge sums reportedly amounting to one billion naira.
Vanguard News reports that Mrs. Efa was taken to Calabar, the Cross River State capital, for more questioning.
Investors in the scheme are demanding that the matter be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to avoid any foul play.
They make this request based on the claim that she has been arrested before and nothing was done.
An aggrieved investor identified as Justus Austin, a petroleum dealer disclosed that he has lost N11.5m to the scheme,
Mr Justin called on the EFCC to take over the matter from the police, adding that the lady was set free by the police after she was first arrested two months ago.
“People have invested so much money in the name of Swiss Gold; she is a breakaway from another group. She was initially arrested but the police released her with a promise that she was going to pay after three months” he said.
“They tracked one of the major investors to the Government House on Tuesday with huge funds. She was of one those acting as intermediary to collect money from investors and it was through her that Efa was tracked”
“Meanwhile, we had lodged our petition with the EFCC, over the huge funds we paid into the scheme. My wife and I, for instance mopped about N11.5m from our small businesses and lumped into the scheme” he said.
“The whole of Zone Six Police Command was crowded when they arrested her. The police should hand over the matter to EFCC; otherwise the matter will be spoilt. She raked in over N1bn within three months,” he lamented
Another investor, Clement Icha, said they were tired of the way the case was earlier handled by the police and would want the EFCC to handle the matter this time.
“Many of us borrowed to invest while some sold their property to put in money in scheme; we are not even asking for the profit anymore, she should just return the capital”
“I am paying the bank N2 million every month to service the loan I got to invest in the scheme,“ he lamented.
Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Nelson Ukpabi, confirmed the incident, adding that Mrs. Efa was in Police custody and investigations was on going.
”I saw a mammoth crowd yesterday evening and I inquired what was going on. I was told a lady involved in Swiss Gold Ponzi scheme was just arrested and the people, who she did business with were trying to see her” Mr Ukpabi said.
“She will be charged to court as soon as possible, but investigations are ongoing.” he added.
