The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised alarm over the rising cases of internet fraud, warning that the trend is worsening visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.
EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the surge in cybercrime not only endangers the future of perpetrators but also tarnishes Nigeria’s global reputation, leading to tougher immigration hurdles for law-abiding citizens.
Speaking through Chief Superintendent Of The EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Olukoyede made the remarks on Monday at an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organised by the Coalition Of Nigerian Youth On Security And Safety Affairs. His comments were contained in a statement issued by the commission on Tuesday.
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According to him, crimes such as cyber fraud, money laundering, and other forms of economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, crippling national development and denying citizens access to essential infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities.
“Beyond the economic damage, internet fraud erodes Nigeria’s international image and subjects innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad,” the EFCC statement read.
Olukoyede appealed to Nigerian youths to channel their talents into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry. He emphasised that internet fraud is a dangerous trap rather than a pathway to genuine success.
“Fraud is not success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go. Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with shortcuts today,” he warned.
He further reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to public sensitisation, strict enforcement, and collaboration with communities in tackling internet fraud and other financial crimes.
Other agencies represented at the event also voiced concerns. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) described drug abuse as one of the most dangerous challenges facing Nigerian youths, while the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) cautioned against the dangers of pipeline vandalism in the South-South region.
The EFCC has in recent months intensified its crackdown on cybercrime. In August, its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 arrested 38 suspected internet fraudsters at a hotel in Ikorodu, Lagos, recovering exotic cars, mobile phones, and substances suspected to be narcotics.
Similarly, the Benin Zonal Directorate secured the conviction of 12 individuals, including two brothers, for offences related to advance fee fraud and possession of fraudulent documents.
