… Lack Of Funding In Education Sector Birthed ‘Yahoo Boys’ — Lecturer
In recent years, internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” has witnessed a distressing upsurge in Nigeria, particularly in the Southwest region,posing a major social and economic challenge in the country. FAWAZ ADEBISI writes.
According to statistics obtained from the anti-graft agency,internet fraud accounts for about 60 percent of the financial crimes recorded by the Commission every year.
‘Yahoo Yahoo’ has become the most trending form of crimes among youths in the country,even teens get involved.
Recently, the EFCC arrested a teen, Victor Edeh, which went viral, for allegedly getting involved in internet fraud.
Nigeria has unfortunately gained notoriety as a hotspot for internet fraud, with fraudsters using various tactics to target unsuspecting victims worldwide.
This nefarious practice has not only tarnished the country’s image but has also become a significant social and economic challenge.
In the last six months,(January to June,2023), the EFCC, according to reports, arrested over 400 suspected internet fraudsters,commonly referred to as “Yahoo Boys this year,” in the south western region of the country.
It was also gathered that out of the arrested suspects, 51 were convicted.
Ogun Takes Lead From Ibadan, Lagos In ‘Breeding’ Internet Fraudsters
According to a report in 2022, Ibadan and Lagos states are part of the cities that recorded the highest number of internet fraud cases, while Ogun was not on the top of the list.
In the report, it was revealed that ‘Yahoo Boys’ turned many of the hotels and guest houses in these cities into operation centers where multi-million dollar cyber scams are perpetrated.
However, PLATFORM TIMES’s compilation of statistics of arrests and prosecutions made by the EFCC from January to June this year shows that Ogun state has taken the lead position in harbouring internet fraudsters.
According to the data collated by PLATFORM TIMES, from the EFCC website, over 400 internet fraud suspects were arrested in the southwest which comprise six states. It was however, gathered that out of the six states that make up the South West, five were heavily involved in the scams, except Osun state.
According to the data, Ogun leads with 143 arrests of internet fraudsters as Oyo takes second position with a total arrest of 140 internet fraudsters in the southwest.
Lagos records 67 arrests of internet fraudsters while Ekiti follows with 47 arrests in the southwestern region of the country.
Ondo state follows with a total of 25 arrests as Osun has no record of internet fraudsters arrested yet in 2023.
A total of 50 persons were convicted in Ogun, Oyo and Osun State as Lagos records only one conviction of internet fraudsters, according to the data gathered from the EFCC website.
How Ogun Tops List Of Fraudsters In South West – Report
In May 2023, operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested 45 alleged internet fraudsters in Ogun State.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspects were arrested May 24, 2023 in Ijebu-Ode following intelligence on their alleged fraudulent internet-related activities.
The spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest and said items recovered include 16 exotic cars, several mobile phones, laptops and hi watches, among others.
In June this year, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested 52 suspected Internet fraudsters in Ogun State.
Its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement, said the suspects were arrested during sting operations between June 7 and June 8, 2023.
According Uwujaren, the operation was carried out following intelligence received by the commission about their activities in computer-related frauds in some parts of the state.
Uwujaren said items recovered from the suspects included mobile phones, laptop computers and cars.
… Over 1,800 Convicted In 2022, Says EFCC
In 2022, over 3,600 convictions were made according to the former EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
However, he disclosed that internet frauds were responsible for over half of the convictions, meaning that over 1,800 ‘yahoo boys’ were convicted in 2022.
Citing the monetary recoveries in the year, he said N134,337,759,574.25, $121,769,076.30, £21,020.00, €156,925.00, ¥21,350.00, and CFA300,000.00, among others were recovered.
Additionally, the agency successfully recovered 52 automobiles, electronics, motorcycles, clothing, and real estate properties during the period, as all were forfeited to the federal government.
Over 75 Cars, 209 Phones Recovered
The available data obtained from the commission’s website, revealed that, during the operations, the EFCC recovered over 75 cars including GLK 350 Mercedes Benz, , Toyota Venza vehicle, Honda Civic car, Toyota Camry 2005 model, Toyota Camry 2009 model, Lexus EX350, Lexus IS250, Lexus RX350, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, among kinds of car.
Also, items recovered from them include; over 200 phones, motorcycles, golden teeth worth millions of naira, expensive video games, laptops among others.
It was however gathered that the recovered items were forfeited to the federal government.
FBI Places Nigeria 16th Country Worst Affected By Cybercrime
According to The Sun Newspaper in its 2022 report, Nigeria is battling a new wave of cyber fraud perpetrated by youths looking for quick wealth.
The report stated that this horror, according to social scientists, is propelled by deep decay in societal norms and values such that wealth, regardless of source, is elevated and celebrated above hard work, dedication and passion for legitimate success.
“Social commentators are worried that the get-rich-quick bug seems to have bitten so many young Nigerians that they have delved into ritual killings all in a bid to acquire spiritual powers that can control their victims to quickly fall for their antics.
“Members of the House of Representatives are already urging the executive to declare this malaise a national epidemic.
“According to information released by Statista, a global provider of market and consumer data, in February 2022, 1,700 males and 337 females were arrested in Nigeria for advance fee fraud in 2019.
“Overall, males represented the vast majority of individuals arrested in Nigeria for financial and economic crimes.
“A recent report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) placed Nigeria as the 16th country worst affected by cybercrime.
“Experts have attributed different factors to the phenomenal increase in cyber scammers in Nigeria. Some of the factors include decay in societal values, poor cyber awareness and non-implementation of the law.
“Others are poor equipment of law enforcement agents, poverty and unemployment, among others.
NCC Engages Telecom Stakeholders In Mitigating Cybersecurity, Other Risks
According to the News Agency of Nigeria report in 2022,the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has engaged telecommunication stakeholders on how to mitigate cybersecurity, online fraud and other risks management.
The commission made the engagement during a two-day maiden edition of the NCC’s telecommunications industry risks management conference held in Abuja.
The conference that was with the theme: “Nigerian Telecommunication Industry: Managing the Emerging Risks and Embracing Risk opportunities”, witnessed a convergence of significant stakeholders.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, rallied around major stakeholders on ways to address emerging risks within the Industry.
Danbatta, represented by the Director of Policy Competition Analysis, Yetunde Akinleye, said the conference was timely and vital for the fast-changing telecoms ecosystem.
Danbatta urged players in the sector to be more conscious of the uncertainties and risks confronting the Industry.
The NCC boss called for collaboration in ending cybersecurity, online fraud, regulatory burden, double taxation, vandalism of telecommunication infrastructure, Right of Way Challenges, access to foreign exchange and inter-industry debt risks.
“The focus of this two-day conference is to bring to the fore the ever-rising uncertainties in the global economy and the regulatory operational risks.
“In the areas of increased data security regulations, new partnerships and transforming business models, a fast-changing mix of mounting CAPEX burdens.
“Shifting market structures, newly emerging disruption scenarios, regulatory and policy challenges, amongst others.
“While risks management has been critical in our regulatory service delivery, we acknowledge that all stakeholders must be concerned about the varied uncertainties that the Industry is confronting.
“The Information and Communication Technologies Sector is inherently filled with several business and technology risks.
“It is therefore important that regulatory risks be minimised to ensure that services are not disrupted, and consumers obtain the best and latest services that are globally available,” he said.
Eniola Olugboyega, the lead paper presenter, spoke on the topic, “X-raying Telecommunication Risks Radar, the Operators Perspective”.
Olugboyega said that the impact of improper risks management could damage the company’s reputation, lead to customers dissatisfaction and loss of business opportunities.
Lack Of Funding In Education Sector Birthed ‘Yahoo Boys’,Says Lecturer
As part of the factors that contributed to the rise of internet fraud in Nigeria, a mass communication lecturer of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Dr Bola Babalola, has laid emphasis on lack of proper funding in the education sector.
Dr. Babalola expressed deep concern over the lack of appropriate funding in the education sector, citing it as a major driver of social vices prevalent in today’s society.
According to him, the inadequate funding has made schools incapable of providing the necessary training, conducive learning environments, and encouragement, leading students to explore other avenues to achieve their aspirations.
In his words, “this has led some individuals to resort to illicit activities, such as scamming and ritual practices, in pursuit of financial gain, while others, particularly young women, have been pushed towards engaging in activities that compromise their dignity.”
Profering a solution, Dr. Babalola urged the Nigerian government, particularly the Federal Government, to prioritize the education sector by allocating more funds and resources to education, creating an environment that fosters learning, empowering youth, and equipping them with the necessary skills to contribute positively to the nation’s growth and development.
He therefore stressed that investing in quality and qualitative education is paramount if the country aims at building a better society.
Broken Homes Birthed ‘Yahoo Boys’, Says Muslim Leader
The former Ameerah of the Federation of Muslim Women Association In Nigeria, Alhaja Zainab Jinodu, has attributed broken homes to the rise in internet fraud among the youths.
Alhaja Jinod said failure to monitor children’s activities is a cause of the menace.
In her words,” children with broken homes would be chanced to join bad peer groups that would influence him /her badly, without being questioned.
“When the family is apart, husband and wife are separated, how are they going to monitor their children, they can join bad groups.”
Also, she condemned the covetous act of young individuals who are into internet fraud, stressing that many of them are lazy.
She said there is no place in the Quran where it’s stated that ‘if you don’t work, you’ll have money’, emphasizing that both the holy book talked about hardwork and patience.
Pastor, Parents Knock FG For Providing Bad Economy
While Alhaja Zainab blamed families and individuals on the rise of internet fraud in the country, Reverend Tolulope Taiwo has knocked the government over bad economy for the youth.
Reverend Taiwo, who is also a veteran broadcaster, explained that the high rate of unemployment in the country among other challenges gave way for internet fraud.
According to him, every individual would try to survive to feed his family no matter what the situation is, which makes them go into illegal activities.
He said,” high rate of unemployment in the country among other challenges gave way for internet fraud,no employment, and people will definitely get something to do to make money.
“Our government needs to be proactive, the pump price of petrol today is N600, and the government is not increasing salaries, people will look for what to eat.
“Imagine a family where the father’s Salary is the minimum wage, how would he take care of his family with three kids with just N30,000, and those boys with today’s technology,go online and begin to do what is not right.”
Although, he also condemned parents who promote indolences in the society.
He lamented that parents, instead of curbing the bad acts in the society, now hail ‘yahoo traders’, as they also enjoin their children to walk that path.
He said, “The Bible says “train a child the way he would grow”, that’s for the family.
“The society aspect, our society is also encouraging a lot of indolences today, you see, many parents, because of poverty, admire those who are doing this kind of trade and also encourage their children to go into it.”
He therefore urged parents to wake up to their responsibilities and train their children well, and he also asked the FG to create more employment, to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy in order not to increase the crime rate.
Speaking also, a woman with at least two children, Mrs Mariam Olanrewaju said parents should be held responsible for not properly bringing up their children.
According to her, parents should bring up their children religiously and let them know what’s right from what’s wrong.
“Parents don’t take care of their children, if they had been brought up properly, they won’t be like that, and also, some children, after mingling with other children, turn bad guys,” she said.
She added that the government should also provide good security “that would monitor these guys’ movements so that they can reduce their activities.”
She therefore urged parents to correct their children and give them proper training while bringing them up.
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