How the 'Sonnedix Gabon' Ponzi scheme reeled in and scammed investors

On social media, the supposed company "Sonnedix Gabon" touted its charity work and community focus in order to convince Gabonese people to invest.
On social media, the supposed company "Sonnedix Gabon" touted its charity work and community focus in order to convince Gabonese people to invest. © Observers

A company called "Sonnedix Gabon" was offering users investments in solar energy in December and January, promising huge payouts. But one of our Observers in Gabon quickly realised it was a scam, trying to warn others. The international Sonnedix company, active in 10 companies, denied having any operations in Gabon. And the so-called Sonnedix Gabon disappeared without a trace on January 10, shocking those who had invested.

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"Sonnedix Gabon is on your side for shared prosperity," "Join the Sonnedix Gabon community to earn your living safely and honestly," and "Trusting Sonnedix is trusting wealth!" This is what was written on the Sonnedix Gabon Facebook page

The company presented itself as a solar energy provider offering "users around the world a profitable and secure investment opportunity". It also made itself seem to be a subsidiary of the real UK-based Sonnedix group, by using the company's logo and listing its website as "www.Sonnedix.com/fr". 

"Click to earn money", this post on the Sonnedix Gabon Facebook page said.
"Click to earn money", this post on the Sonnedix Gabon Facebook page said. © Facebook Sonnedix Gabon
In this episode of The Observers, we looked into how Sonnedix Gabon managed to convince investors it was a real company. And how our Observer Boursier Tchibinda was able to uncover the scam.