May & Baker Nigeria Plc has warned shareholders and members of the public against a fraudulent investment scheme being promoted under the name M&B Equity Stake. The company said the scheme is being circulated online with promises of daily or guaranteed returns, but has no connection with May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by Mrs Adetoun Abiru on behalf of Marina Nominees Limited, the company’s secretary. May & Baker urged members of the public to be cautious of individuals and platforms presenting the purported investment opportunity as an authorised company initiative.
The pharmaceutical company said it had completely dissociated itself from the M&B Equity Stake scheme. It also stated that its subsidiaries and affiliates had no involvement in the scheme or with any individual, platform, website, group, publication or other communication promoting or soliciting funds under its name.
The company warned that any flier, message, website or other material requesting money from the public in connection with an M&B Equity Stake or similar investment opportunity was unauthorised. According to May & Baker, such communications should be treated as fraudulent and not as official company announcements.
The company further clarified that it is not currently conducting any Rights Issue, Public Offer or other capital-raising exercise involving the solicitation of investments from members of the public. It therefore advised investors not to transfer funds or provide personal information based on unsolicited investment offers claiming to be connected to the company.
May & Baker said any legitimate future capital-raising exercise would be announced through its authorised communication channels. Such an exercise, it added, would comply with applicable laws and regulations, as well as the requirements of the Nigerian Exchange Limited and other relevant regulatory authorities.
The company called on its shareholders, customers, employees and members of the general public to remain vigilant when approached with investment offers purportedly linked to May & Baker.
It advised anyone who encounters such an opportunity or communication to verify its authenticity through the company’s official communication channels before taking any action. The warning comes as fraudulent investment schemes increasingly exploit the names and identities of established companies to create an appearance of legitimacy and attract unsuspecting investors.
