Zenith Bank Plc has warned the public about fraudulent investment videos circulating online that falsely feature its Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, distancing both the bank and its chairman from the scheme.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a disclaimer, the bank said it had uncovered doctored videos and images portraying Ovia as endorsing an online platform called “Wealth Bridge.” The materials, allegedly shared via a Facebook handle named “Greece Island,” claim investors can earn up to ₦2 million weekly from a ₦380,000 contribution.
Zenith Bank categorically denied any involvement in the scheme, stating that neither Ovia nor the institution has entered into any partnership with the promoters of the platform.
The bank further disclosed that the circulating videos falsely suggest the scheme is backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and direct users to what appears to be a fake Arise News webpage containing registration links.
Describing the claims as completely false, the bank stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, all the videos and promotional materials referenced are fake and have nothing to do with Zenith Bank Plc or Dr Jim Ovia.”
It cautioned that anyone transacting with individuals or entities linked to the scheme does so at their own risk. The bank identified several handles allegedly associated with the promotion, including “Wealth Bridge,” “delicious sitee,” “AfriQuantumX,” and “Stock market analyst 1.”
Zenith Bank noted that the incident reflects a growing trend of fraudsters using manipulated and AI-generated videos to impersonate respected business leaders and financial institutions. Such schemes often lure victims with promises of unusually high or guaranteed returns within a short time — a key red flag flagged by financial regulators.
The lender reiterated that it does not solicit investments through social media or informal online channels and urged customers to verify financial information through its official platforms.
Ovia, founder and current Group Chairman of Zenith Bank, remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent figures in the banking sector. The bank stressed that his name and image were used without authorisation in the misleading promotional content.
It advised the public to exercise caution when encountering online investment offers promising outsized or guaranteed returns and encouraged anyone who spots suspicious communications to report them to relevant authorities.
