Internet fraud constitutes one of the deficient phenomena that has come to tag Nigeria with deforming character. At the forefront of international community, the perception this has incited for the Country is nothing appealing from all frame of thoughts. It is one debilitating profile which poses negative impacts on the Country. Nigerian nationales now have to suffer the brunts directly and indirectly, as they are considered more with suspicion by foreigners who have become more skeptical about citizens of the Country.
Despite the perceived stench of the phenomenon, it is apparent that the illegitimate venture is still growing with widespread. More young persons, including adolescents, are seen delving increasingly into the sharp practice. The scale of the phenomenon is such which has permeated the fabrics of the society. Even the four walls of secondary schools appear to have become opened to the ill, as pupils are increasingly having a sense of engagement in the practice.
The putrid phenomenon has no doubt left many stranded and worse affected. While victims of internet fraud largely used to be foreigners who were the major targets of the early perpetrators of the crime, the network of the ill has expanded in coast to accommodate Nigerians who now suffer from various internet fraud related scams. Recently, hacking of bank accounts of Nigerians among several other devices through several dubious means have become rife.
On Monday, 28th March, 2022, Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 75 suspected internet fraudsters in separate sting operations in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The Abuja Zonal Command arrested 46 suspects for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud at different locations in Owerri. The suspects, who were mainly students and job seekers between the ages of 18 to 31 years, were apprehended after superior intelligence was received on their nefarious activities. According to a statement by the EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, on Monday, upon the arrest of the suspects, six cars, various phones and laptops of different brands were recovered from them.
In a related development, operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Commission on Friday, 25th March, 2022 arrested 29 suspected internet fraudsters at several hideouts in Nekede Road and Owerri Axis of Imo State but incriminating items were found on 17 of the suspects. They were all arrested based on verified intelligence reports linking them with alleged fraudulent activities ranging from love scam on numerous dating sites, impersonation, and possession of fraudulent documents, picker and bitcoin scam. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest, include foreign currencies, Toyota Avalon, 2 Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla 2004 Model, Lexus ES 350, Mercedes ML 350, Lexus RS 350, and Toyota Venza. Others are fifty-eight phones (58) of different brands, eight laptops, one driver’s licence and six ATM Cards.
Having Nigerians suffer the brunt of internet fraud of diverse forms of calculated devices, which recently have had plundering their bank accounts on the role, is a phenomenon of discomfort, particularly at a time when the scourge of economic hardship is dealing hard on citizens. The plight of citizens before harsh economic conditions is already too stiffening than to be further strangulated by internet fraud of various kinds. It is incontestable that the scourge of internet fraud has left scathing blows on many unsuspecting citizens who have fallen victims of the illegitimate venture. Protecting the interests, rights, lives and properties of citizens is a central duty of the government. Where all these are threatened, the status of the government then becomes questionable. Since the first duty of government is of the protection of lives and properties, any venture that threatens same is what it must fight with all its breathe, in the orientation that it’s existence lies in the same mandate.
Beyond the shores of the Country, the perceptional deformation which has continually brought a woeful record for the Country in corruption index is demeaning on the Country. Internet fraud is well pronounced among the deforming strings. The various impacts are by all means unfavourable to the Country. It is high time, the government rose with soft and hard instruments of responses to fight the scourge of internet fraud with a heavy blow.