May & Baker Nigeria Plc has warned investors and members of the public against a fraudulent investment scheme being promoted as M&B Equity Stake.
The company said the scheme is being circulated online with promises of daily or guaranteed returns, stressing that it has no connection with the purported investment opportunity. The warning was contained in a statement signed by Mrs Adetoun Abiru on behalf of Marina Nominees Limited, the Company Secretary.
May & Baker urged the public to be cautious of individuals and platforms impersonating the company while promoting the scheme and soliciting funds from unsuspecting investors. The pharmaceutical company also dissociated its subsidiaries and affiliates from the M&B Equity Stake scheme and from any person, website, platform, group, publication or other communication promoting the purported investment.
May & Baker said any communication soliciting funds in its name in connection with an M&B Equity Stake or similar investment opportunity is unauthorised.
It warned that such communications should be treated as fraudulent and not regarded as an official offer from the company. 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.
According to the company, investors should therefore exercise caution before responding to messages or advertisements claiming to offer opportunities to acquire an equity stake in May & Baker. The company said any legitimate investment initiative would be formally announced through its authorised communication channels.
“Any future capital-raising exercise will be formally communicated through the company’s authorised communication channels and conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and the requirements of the Nigerian Exchange Limited and other relevant regulatory authorities,” it stated.
The company advised its shareholders, customers, employees and members of the public to verify investment-related communications before taking any action.
It specifically urged members of the public to confirm the authenticity of any purported M&B Equity Stake opportunity through May & Baker’s official communication channels. The warning comes amid the circulation of online investment offers that use the names and identities of established companies to solicit funds from the public.
May & Baker reiterated that any person, flier, message, website or platform seeking money in its name for the purported scheme is not authorised by the company. The company urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid making payments or providing financial information based on unverified investment offers.
