The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised alarm that the surge in internet fraud is contributing to harsher visa restrictions against innocent Nigerians abroad.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, explained that fraudulent practices not only ruin the future of perpetrators but also damage Nigeria’s global reputation, thereby tightening travel conditions for law-abiding citizens.
Olukoyede, represented by the Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, made the remarks on Monday during an event organised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs. His statement was contained in a release issued by the commission on Tuesday.
According to the statement, “The EFCC boss highlighted that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities.
“Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.”
He urged young people across the South-South and Nigeria as a whole to focus their energy on productive fields such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry.
He was quoted as saying, “Fraud is not success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go. Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always 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.”
Olukoyede also reaffirmed the commission’s determination to strengthen sensitisation, enforcement, and partnerships with communities in order to curb internet fraud and related crimes.
Other agencies present also spoke at the event. A representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mathew Ewah, warned that drug abuse remains one of the most serious threats to Nigerian youths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps cautioned against pipeline vandalism in the South-South.
The EFCC has recently stepped up its crackdown on cybercrime nationwide. In August, operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 arrested 38 suspected internet fraudsters at Mambillah Hotel in Ikorodu, Lagos, after days of surveillance. Vehicles, mobile phones, and substances suspected to be narcotics were among the items recovered.
Similarly, the Benin Zonal Directorate secured the conviction of 12 individuals, including two brothers, who were sentenced by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court after pleading guilty to charges ranging from advance fee fraud to possession of fraudulent documents and retention of crime proceeds.
In July, the United States revised its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, reducing the validity of certain non-immigrant visas to three months and limiting them to single entry. The affected categories include the B1/B2 visas for business and tourism, as well as F and J visas for students and exchange visitors.
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