Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has disclaimed responsibility for social media advertisements, asking the public to join WhatsApp groups that purportedly offer them investment opportunities with “guaranteed returns” in “high-quality stocks.”

The financial services group disclosed in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that such advertisements are fraudulent, false and unauthorised.

The announcement followed the circulation of social media posts featuring the image of Busola Jejelowo, the CEO of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, together with the Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers logo.

“They do not originate from Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC or any of its subsidiaries, and they have not been approved, endorsed, or issued by the group in any form,” the financial institution said.

“The use of our name, logo, brand identity, and the images of our executives in these materials is fraudulent and intended to deceive unsuspecting individuals,” it added.

The bank holding company disclosed that it has already reported the fraudulent activities to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria.

Victims

Stanbic IBTC Holdings advised people who have already fallen prey to such dubious schemes, or who have made payments or disclosed any personal or financial information, to report the matter immediately to the nearest law enforcement agency.

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It urged the public to be cautious of unauthorised communications by individuals purporting to be associated with Stanbic IBTC, especially when they relate to investments and promises of financial returns.

Customers should rely only on authentic and verified information about Stanbic IBTC communicated through its official communication platforms, it said.

“Such messages should be treated as suspicious unless independently verified through our official channels,” Stanbic IBTC Holdings stated.

“For authentic and verified information about Stanbic IBTC and its products and services, please rely only on our official communication platforms, including @StanbicIBTC on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.”

It further expressed its commitment to taking all appropriate steps to safeguard its brand and customers from fraudulent and deceptive activities.

Netflix is stepping up its game in mobile and gaming, as revealed during the company’s recent APAC Product Innovation Showcase. 

During the event, Netflix outlined plans to expand its refreshed mobile experience to additional markets across Asia-Pacific, while also growing its gaming ambitions through the continued rollout of Netflix Playground, a dedicated space for children’s games.

Netflix also continues to broaden the reach of its redesigned mobile app. After rolling out the updated experience in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, India, and Malaysia earlier this year, Netflix plans to launch it in South Korea and Japan in July, with additional Asia-Pacific markets to follow.

A key part of the redesign is “Clips,” Netflix’s answer to the growing popularity of short-form video. The vertical video feed allows users to browse bite-sized content from across Netflix’s library, offering quick entertainment during moments when viewers may not have time to commit to a full episode or movie.

Now Netflix is taking the concept a step further. The company revealed plans to test themed Clip collections, which would organize short videos around specific moods, genres, and interests. These curated collections could feature everything from memorable reality TV moments to behind-the-scenes footage and podcast highlights.

Beyond streaming, Netflix continues to invest in gaming. The company announced it is expanding Netflix Playground, its gaming hub designed specifically for children. The latest addition will focus on “KPop Demon Hunters,” the hit animated musical that has quickly become one of Netflix’s standout family titles.

The new experience will launch with six mini-games, allowing fans to interact directly with characters and story elements from the film. The timing is hardly surprising, as “KPop Demon Hunters” generated more than 518 million views in its first six months, making it one of Netflix’s biggest animated successes. Netflix is likely looking to capitalize on viewer interest while creating additional reasons for families to stay within its platform.

Netflix Playground first rolled out in April across markets including the U.S., Canada, and the UK, signaling the company’s intention to scale the concept globally.