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Claim: A Facebook video shows Channels television host, Seun Okinbaloye, allegedly endorsing a cryptocurrency platform, Jau Crypto.
Verdict: Misleading! Results from DUBAWA’s investigation reveal that the Channel’s video dates back to 2024 and is unrelated to any cryptocurrency promotion, as portrayed in the Facebook post. Furthermore, other pages included in the clip had been edited.
Full Text
The Nigerian social media space has been thrown into an uproar after several Nigerians recently lost millions of naira to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).
According to a report, the digital platform withdrew N1.3 trillion from users’ wallets after an unexpected crash on Monday, April 14, 2025.
A Facebook page “Invest in Nigeria” also shared a sponsored video featuring Seun Okinbaloye during a ‘Politics Today’ program on Channels Television.
In the 58-second video, Seun appears to endorse Jau Crypto, a cryptocurrency initiative the Nigerian government allegedly invested in to address the country’s economic hardships.
Seun allegedly explained that the Nigerian government has invested a whopping $50 million in the project, allowing Nigerians to earn money directly from the app if only they could invest.
“Nigeria is on the course of massive change, a new project launched with the participation of the government and the country’s largest bank could completely change the life of millions of citizens…” Seun allegedly said.
“This is not just a technology, this is a chance to change your life. This platform is already available for registration. Don’t miss the opportunity,” he added in the video.
Seun further claimed that thousands of Nigerians have already invested in the App, which allows investors to cash out on the second day of investment.
DUBAWA noticed that the video had a watermark that read, “Start now with $250 and get $1,200 the next day.”
As of Friday, Apr. 18, 2025, the video has generated about 733 likes, 2,300 views, four comments, and 18 reposts.
Given the issue’s sensitivity and the scepticism surrounding the possibility of Channels’ involvement in such advertisements, DUBAWA decided to investigate it.
Verification
We watched the video closely and noticed a lack of synchronisation between the television host’s lip movements and the audio. DUBAWA then analysed keyframes from the video using Yandex and Google Reverse Image Search. The result led us to the real video Seun featured in in July 2024.
In the original version of the video, which Channels shared on YouTube on July 25, 2024, Seun reported on issues relating to the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest and the Edo governorship election.
In both the altered and original versions, Seun was wearing the same suit and tie. The two videos featured the same background, but the audio was different.
A message was sent to media organisations via email and Facebook for further authentication, but as of press time, no response had been received.
Website Analysis
After Seun allegedly persuades Nigerians to invest in the cryptocurrency scheme, viewers are instructed to click the “learn more” button below the video.
A keyword search was conducted on the headline of the legitimate report, but the result was empty.
Moreover, further investigation of the report shows it contains testimonial messages and images that lend credibility to the uploaded video. The report included three images within paragraphs to validate the scheme’s authenticity.
A Google Reverse Image Search on the first picture led us to a report that Dateline published on March 26, 2025. The report communicated the Central Bank of Nigeria’s effort to maintain surveillance in the country’s foreign exchange market by identifying and eliminating bad actors.
Punch and Nairametrics reported similar development within the same time frame.
Analysis of the second image led us to a similar post shared on X on Dec. 16, 2021.
Meanwhile, the third version of the image led us to a Catholic and Culture website promoting the deeds of Catholics worldwide. One of its reports, titled “Family building in Nigeria carries on lineage, spirit of ancestors,” featured the same image used in the Legit report.
DUBAWA went further by clicking the “Register” link below the alleged Legit report. The link led the researcher to a new page requesting the registrant’s name, phone number, and email address.
We filled out this information randomly, and immediately, we were given an opinion on whether to accept or cancel a call request within 30 minutes.
However, in response to the email DUBAWA sent to Legit.ng on a report regarding Jau Crypto, it denied having any connection with the website.
“Thanks for your interest. We have no connection with the website.” Legit.ng wrote back.
DUBAWA used Whois to examine the website’s background details and discovered that it was created on Feb. 26, 2025, and expired a year later. But Legit.ng existed before that date. Other profile details of the website remain “GDPR-masked.” GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, a data protection law that safeguards people’s data.
Conclusion
The 58-second video featuring Seun Okinbaloye, a politics reporter at Channels Television, has been digitally altered to promote the cryptocurrency scheme “Jau Crypto.”
