Nigerians have been urged to exercise heightened vigilance following the emergence of fraudulent WhatsApp investment groups falsely linked to Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of Access Holdings Plc, in what appears to be a growing wave of digital financial scams targeting retail investors.
The warning centres on groups operating under the name “Value Growth Club,” where perpetrators allegedly impersonate Aig-Imoukhuede and reference “Gotham Capital” in a bid to create legitimacy and lure unsuspecting participants into dubious schemes.
Independent findings have confirmed that the prominent banker has no affiliation whatsoever with the WhatsApp groups or any related investment initiatives. He has neither authourised nor endorsed the Value Growth Club and is not involved in any WhatsApp-based trading platforms, competitions, or investment forums tied to the name or any similar arrangement.
Market observers say the development reflects a pattern of fraudulent actors exploiting the reputations of high-profile corporate leaders to gain trust and drive participation in unregulated financial schemes. The use of digital platforms such as WhatsApp has further amplified the reach and speed of such scams, raising concerns about investor protection in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem.
Members of the public have been advised to refrain from engaging with the groups, avoid sending funds, and not disclose personal or financial information to individuals claiming any association with Aig-Imoukhuede or affiliated entities.
Data governance is about trust, not frameworks