Yahoo Yahoo

Internet fraud, otherwise known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ in local parlance, is gaining notoriety in Nigeria. Although the act is not peculiar to Nigeria, however, the scale and frequency among youths in recent years are becoming worrisome. Many internet-fraudsters-apologists opine that the increase in internet fraud is as a result of the deepening level of unemployment in the country and the ensuing economic malaise. Also blamed, are the lack of opportunities in the country and the repressive environment that is not conducive for entrepreneurship and investment.  Hence, some youths are seeking alternative sources of making ‘quick money’.

Whatever the reasons are, internet fraud is a crime, and like all crimes, there is no justification for pardon or continuity. Alongside the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians living in the poverty capital of the world, moral decadence and the growing culture of get-rich-quick are causative drives in the surge of internet fraud. As an alternative to employment and legal business, many youths are indulging in cyber-crimes, usually, to afford a luxurious lifestyle, provide for their families, some are even setting up legitimate ventures with monies made from fraud.

Another growing concern is the indifference of many Nigerians about internet fraud. The logic could be that they are not directly affected since the usual victims are foreigners. A distasteful joke about internet fraud is ‘Nigerian fraudsters are bringing back monies laundered by corrupt politicians’.

The consequences of internet fraud on the country’s image have been subtle but recurrent. There is an unspoken stereotype that sees Nigerians as fraudsters; a fallacy that tends to generalize the actions of few Nigerians on the about 180 million people. Anecdotal accounts of Nigerians who have experienced the stereotype and discrimination abroad are worrisome. Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), released an 80-man list of internet fraudsters with majority of Nigerian origin. Widespread condemnation on social and print media followed the release. The Federal government equivocally made its stand, maintaining that justice must prevail and those found guilty should be prosecuted. It, however, reiterated that the actions of few Nigerians should not be seen as the general character of Nigerians.

Notably, Nigerian security and anti-graft agencies have been on clampdown of internet fraudsters, arresting many in the process. However, this has not significantly deterred people from indulging in the act, as the media is inundated with cases of fraud. While government frowns at fraud and crime generally, and in reaction, clamps down on culprits, it should also strive to invest in the human capital. Government’s actions should not only be reactionary but proactive. An African proverb will say, you cannot beat a child and ask him not to cry. There should be policies and programmes targeted at lifting the 90 million Nigerians living in poverty out of poverty. The government should empower youths with the capacity to create sustainable wealth for themselves.

Nigeria’s security and anti-graft agencies should liaise with their foreign counterparts in fostering cyber-security and fishing out those involved in internet fraud. There is need to re-sensitise people that internet fraud is theft and should be frowned up. In addition to these, families, cultural groups and faith-based institutions should propagate campaigns against cyber-crimes. The place of virtue in a healthy society should be reiterated to the young generation to counter the false narrative that indulging in cyber-crimes is the realest way to make money in Nigeria.