The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged youths across Nigeria to tread the path of integrity for a secure future.
Olukoyede described internet fraud as the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones or social media to deceive people for financial gains and exposed the inherent dangers and their consequences on the future of the youthful fraudsters.
Addressing youths and teenagers in a conference organised by the Organization of African Instituted Churches, Rivers State chapter, held recently at the Port Harcourt Ecumenical Centre, the EFCC boss identified internet crimes to include, fake online investments, romance scams, identity theft, social media impersonation, online shopping scams, cryptocurrency scams, fake giveaways, and fraudulent job offers.
Olukoyede, who also identified righteous alternatives to internet fraud, listed the dangers to include, arrest, prosecution, conviction, imprisonment and possibly asset forfeiture.
“All you have laboured for will be taken away,” said Olukoyede who was represented by the Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE James Hosea.
He identified peer pressure and the desire to get rich quickly as the strongest motivations of youths in their involvement in internet fraud.
“Many young people want quick results without process. They want a car before career; comfortable lifestyle before they labour. They want rewards before work. Unfortunately, life does not work that way. Success without process rarely lasts. Peer pressure also leads some into committing internet crimes,” he said.
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The EFCC boss called on the youths as followers of Christ to stand apart and demonstrate integrity in all they do, adding that God created every young person with gifts, talents, and potential.
Olukoyede said: “God created every young person with unique gifts, talents, and a purpose. He did not create us to live by deception or dishonesty, but to be lights in our generation.
“Instead of using technology to scam people, use it to create value and be responsible citizens by learning useful skills and contributing meaningfully to the growth of the economy.”
Olukoyede urged the youths “to choose their friends wisely, avoid get-rich-quick schemes, develop marketable skills, seek mentors that have integrity, spend time in prayer and in God’s Word, create a personal development plans, focus on long-term success rather than instant gratification and use technology to create value rather than exploit others.”
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