The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared a foreign national, Elie Bitar, wanted for his alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency investment fraud associated with the online trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).
In an official bulletin released by the Commission, the EFCC stated that the 41-year-old is being sought in connection with a suspected fraudulent scheme that has defrauded several investors across Nigeria through CBEX.
“The public is hereby notified that ELIE BITAR, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX),” the EFCC stated.
The agency revealed that Bitar’s last known residence is located at Eng. George Enemoh Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos State.
The EFCC urged anyone with useful information about Bitar’s whereabouts to report to any of its zonal offices across the country, including in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
Additionally, the public can contact the EFCC via phone at 08093322644 or through email at info@efcc.gov.ng.
CBEX gained traction amid Nigeria’s surging interest in cryptocurrency investments. It attracted users with promises of quick and substantial returns through crypto trading but soon came under scrutiny due to its questionable regulatory practices and lack of transparency.
The Commission’s investigation into the platform has reportedly uncovered a series of transactions linked to Bitar and several individuals, some of whom have already been apprehended.
The wanted notice was signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, who reaffirmed the agency’s determination to clamp down on individuals exploiting Nigerians through fraudulent financial schemes.
“The public is hereby notified that ELIE BITAR… is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the notice reiterated.
