EFCC warns the increase in internet fraud that triggers visa restrictions on Nigerians

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has reminded that the increasing prevalence of internet fraud has further made the visa restrictions faced by Nigeria abroad, with citizens who obey the law increasingly experiencing strict travel conditions.

The Chairperson of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, issued a warning on Monday at Port Harcourt, the state of Rivers, during an event organized by the Nigerian Youth Coalition about security and safety affairs. He was represented by the Head of the EFCC Inspector, CSE Coker Oyegunle. The commission released the details of his remarks in a statement on Tuesday.

According to EFCC, cyberspace crime, money laundering, and other forms of economic sabotage costs billions of Naira every year, damage national development and seize infrastructure, work, and opportunities.

Olukoyede stressed that outside of economic victims, fraud practices damaged Nigeria’s reputation internationally, exposed innocent Nigerians on stringent immigration examinations and reduced access to foreign opportunities.

“Fraud is unsuccessful; this is a trap. Easy to come, easy to go. Many follow the path ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’ always ends up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law of chasing them, and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with today’s shortcuts,” he said as quoted.

The Chairperson of EFCC urges young people in the south-south and throughout the country to direct their energy to productive businesses, including digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and creative industries. He further repeated the commitment of the commission to intensify the sensitization campaign, law enforcement efforts, and collaboration with the community in overcoming financial crimes.

Other speakers at the event include representatives from the National Narcotics Law Enforcement Agency (Ndlea), who warned of the dangers of drug abuse, and the Nigerian security corps and civil defense (NSCDC), which highlighted the risk of pipe vandalism in the southern-south region.

New EFCC -Newly increases operations against cyberspace crime nationally. In August, the operations of the Directorate of Zonal Lagos 1 arrested 38 alleged internet fraudsters at a hotel in Ikorodu, Lagos, recovering vehicles, cellphones, and suspected narcotics.

Likewise, the Directorate of Zonal Benin confirmed the sentence of 12 people, including two brothers, on charges that border cost frauds in advance, ownership of fraud documents, and retention of crime results. Judge M. Itsueli from the State High Court Edo punished them after they claimed to be guilty.

This development emerged amid increasing international concerns over cyberspace crime. In July, the United States revised the reciprocal schedule of visa for Nigeria, reducing the validity of a certain non-immigrant visa to three months and limits them to single entry. The affected categories include B1/B2 visas for businesses and tourism, as well as visas F and J for students and exchange visitors.