The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sealed off the premises of Oxford International Group/Oxford Commercial Services, Farmforte Agro Allied Solutions Limited/Agro Partnerships as well as Vektr Capital Investment/Vektr Enterprise for alleged illegal involvement in capital market activities.

The commission said the offices of the companies in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja were shut down for carrying out investment operations that fall within ambit of fund management without registration with the apex regulator contrary to the provisions of the Investments and Securities Act, 2007.

SEC, in a statement explained: “These companies do not have registration of the SEC to conduct fund management activities and have been found to promise exorbitant rates of returns to lure investors. The SEC has exercised its powers under Section 13 (w) Investments and Securities Act 2007, to shut them down’

“The Commission hereby notifies the investing public that none of these entities or their investment platforms are registered by the SEC.

“The public is hereby reminded that it is unlawful for any private enterprise whether incorporated as a company or not, to solicit funds from the public by whatever means, to fund its private ventures as doing this will be in contravention of the Investments and Securities Act, 2007.”

The commission strongly advised members of the public to always confirm from it whether an entity providing investment services had been duly registered and whether the investment schemes are authorised by the Commission.

It added that any member of the investing public dealing with unregistered entities was doing so at their own risk.

SEC therefore advised the public to exercise due diligence and caution in making investment decisions, adding that a valid list of lawful operators can be obtained on its website.