Zenith Bank Plc has issued an urgent public warning after fraudsters circulated a doctored artificial intelligence (AI) video falsely portraying its Group Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, as endorsing a fraudulent investment scheme promising unrealistic returns.
In a disclaimer released Tuesday, the bank described the video and related promotional materials as completely fake, warning customers and the general public to immediately disregard the content.
The fraudulent video, which has been circulating via a Facebook handle identified as “Greece Island,” falsely claims that Dr. Ovia endorsed an investment platform known as “Wealth Bridge.” The scheme reportedly promises investors up to ₦2 million in weekly returns from an initial investment of ₦380,000—a claim Zenith Bank says is entirely fabricated.
“Our attention has been drawn to a doctored video and still pictures circulating on social media purporting to depict the Group Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc as endorsing an investment scheme called ‘Wealth Bridge,’” the bank said.
“This claim is entirely false and has no connection whatsoever to the Group Chairman, the Bank, or any of its affiliate companies.”
Zenith Bank revealed that the fake video goes further by falsely claiming endorsement from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and redirecting unsuspecting victims to a fraudulent webpage designed to resemble a legitimate Arise News platform, complete with a registration portal.
The bank stressed that neither Zenith Bank nor its chairman has authorised, endorsed, or partnered with the promoters of the scheme.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all the videos and promotional materials referenced above are FAKE and have nothing to do with Zenith Bank Plc or Dr. Jim Ovia,” the bank stated.
The bank specifically warned Nigerians against engaging with platforms and social media accounts linked to the fraudulent scheme, including:
- Wealth Bridge
- Greece Island Facebook handle
- AfriQuantumX
- Delicious Sitee
- Stock Market Analyst 1
According to the bank, anyone who conducts business with these entities does so strictly at their own risk, as they are not affiliated with Zenith Bank.
The incident underscores the rising use of AI-generated deepfake videos and impersonation tactics to exploit public trust in financial institutions and prominent business leaders.
Zenith Bank reiterated its commitment to protecting customers and urged the public to rely only on official bank communication channels for verified investment and financial information.
The bank also encouraged customers to remain vigilant and report suspicious investment offers that promise unusually high or guaranteed returns.
