Jay Boss
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared a 41-year-old Lebanese national, Elie Bitar, wanted over his alleged involvement in a multimillion-naira fraud linked to the online trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account and signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission said Bitar’s last known address was on Eng. George Enemoh Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.
“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 statement read.
The EFCC urged anyone with information about Bitar’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide or reach out via phone at 08093322644, email at info@efcc.gov.ng, or through the nearest police station or security agency.
The declaration follows a surge of complaints from Nigerians who claimed to have lost their investments after the collapse of CBEX. In April, social media was flooded with videos and testimonies from victims of the alleged scam.
The EFCC has since intensified its investigation, naming eight individuals wanted in connection with the scheme. A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, granted the commission’s request to arrest and detain CBEX promoters while investigations continue.
According to EFCC counsel Fadila Yusuf, ST Technologies—the company behind CBEX—was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission but lacked the necessary authorization from the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer investment services.
The EFCC said it has built a prima facie case of investment fraud and has requested international cooperation, including placing the suspects on red notice, to ensure they are brought to justice.
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