The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has removed a foreign national, Elie Bitar, from the wanted list for Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) fraud.
On April 30, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Ellie Bitar wanted in connection with alleged fraudulent activities on the CBEX trading platform.
Bitar’s name was included in a wanted notice disseminated by the agency across its social media channels. In a now-deleted post on X, signed by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale, the agency listed Bitar’s last known address as being in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the EFCC announced that Bitar’s name has been removed from the wanted list due to new findings.
“Ellie Bitar of CBEX Solutions Ltd., who was earlier declared wanted, has now been taken off the list as fresh information no longer supports his inclusion,” the statement read.
The EFCC added that its investigation is progressing well and that it is working with international law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend all individuals connected to the case. “The Commission will continue its efforts to ensure all those involved in the fraud are held accountable,” the statement added.
Oyewale also noted that the agency is making “significant progress” in tracking the eight individuals declared wanted in connection with the CBEX fraud.
Numerous videos circulating online have featured Nigerians alleging the loss of their money following the reported collapse of the CBEX scheme in April.
In response to the incident, the EFCC launched an investigation and declared eight individuals wanted for their alleged roles in the online platform’s fraudulent activities. Additionally, the Federal High Court in Abuja authorized the arrest and detention of anyone found promoting the CBEX scheme.
