INVESTIGATION: FAKE “INTEL” PONZI SCHEME DEFRAUDS NIGERIANS, DEMANDS ₦60,000 TAX TO UNLOCK ACCOUNTS
INVESTIGATION: FAKE “INTEL” PONZI SCHEME DEFRAUDS NIGERIANS, DEMANDS ₦60,000 TAX TO UNLOCK ACCOUNTS
Intel products used to lure victims
By Frank Odinukaeze
A fast-spreading online investment scam disguised as a high-tech venture has defrauded scores of Nigerians, luring unsuspecting victims with promises of massive returns within 24 hours. Findings reveal that the operators of the fraudulent scheme falsely claimed affiliation with Intel Corporation, the global technology giant, to gain public trust and legitimacy.
The scammers operated through a suspicious website — intelngn.net/#/pa — misleading investors into believing they were dealing with an authentic international tech company engaged in high-tech equipment development. However, checks by PREMIUM NEWS DAILY, on the domain name show no traceable link to Intel Corporation, whose official online presence is anchored on Intel.com and other verified subdomains. Attempts to load intelngn.net returned 502 Bad Gateway errors, further reinforcing its fraudulent nature.
Victims Deceived with Outrageous “Daily ROI” Offers
According to our findings, the operators enticed thousands of Nigerians with unrealistic offers promising extraordinary daily profits. Many victims borrowed money from friends, family, and lenders to fund their so-called investments.
However, in a dramatic twist, the platform suddenly blocked all user transactions earlier this week. Victims attempting to log into their accounts were greeted with a message claiming that the “Intel platform” had been taken over by tax authorities. Users were instructed to pay a compulsory ₦60,000 “tax” before their accounts could be unlocked.
Scam Operators Issue Fake “Tax Directive”
A broadcast circulating on the platform — allegedly from the “Intel finance department” — claimed that tax authorities had taken control of the company’s finances and ordered members to pay taxes between November 24 and 25, 2025. The message further claimed that accounts of members who failed to comply by midnight on November 26 would be frozen for six months.
The fake announcement promised that anyone who paid the ₦60,000 fee would have:
Their accounts “unlocked”
Their taxes “refunded”
Their daily withdrawal limit increased to ₦1,000,000
Desperate to recover their trapped funds, many victims paid the so-called tax — not knowing they were being extorted a second time.
Multiple Bank Accounts Used to Launder Victims’ Funds
Investigations further revealed that the scammers used several Nigerian bank accounts under different names to receive payments. Among the accounts identified are:
Muhammed Jubril — Access Bank — 1939538646
Victim: Sankary-batubo Emmanuel,
Amount paid: ₦60,000,
Date: November 25, 2025
Sulaiman Rayyan — Kuda Bank — 2082662581
Victim: Joy B
Amount paid: ₦140,000,
Date: November 21, 2025,
Time: 21:24:36
This pattern, experts say, is typical of organized Ponzi operations that use multiple sleeper accounts to collect deposits before disappearing.
Victims Cry Out for Justice
Several victims who spoke to investigators said they had invested borrowed money in the scheme with hopes of earning fast returns. Many are now devastated, unable to recover their capital or reach the platform managers.
The scheme appears to be operated by an individual known only as “Lina”, who communicates solely through Telegram. She provides no surname, no physical address, no WhatsApp contact, and no corporate identity — a red flag typical of high-yield investment fraud.
Intel Corporation Not Connected to the Scheme
Independent searches show:
No verified Intel Corporation page references intelngn.net
No WHOIS or ownership information links the domain to Intel
The website is currently down, misconfigured, or deliberately deactivated
Cybersecurity analysts affirm that Intel Corporation has no tax-payment platform, no Nigerian investment program, and does not authorize individuals to collect money on its behalf.
Authorities Urged to Investigate
With millions of naira lost and more victims still being coaxed into additional payments, cybersecurity experts and consumer protection groups are calling on the:
Nigeria Police Force (NPF)
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
to immediately launch a coordinated investigation, freeze related bank accounts, trace the beneficiaries, and ensure justice for the victims.
