Photo File: Economic and Financial Crime commission (EFCC) logo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the increasing cases of internet fraud are contributing to stricter visa restrictions for law-abiding Nigerians abroad.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said fraudulent practices not only destroy the future of those involved but also tarnish Nigeria’s image internationally, resulting in tougher travel conditions for innocent citizens.

Olukoyede, represented by the Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, gave the warning on Monday at an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by the commission on Tuesday.

According to the statement, “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, these crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.”

The EFCC boss urged young people in the South-South and across the country to channel their energy into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture and the creative industry.

“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,” he said.

Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to intensify sensitisation, enforcement and community collaboration to combat fraud and related crimes.

Also speaking at the event, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mathew Ewah, warned that drug abuse remains one of the most dangerous threats facing Nigerian youths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps cautioned against pipeline vandalism in the South-South.

The EFCC has recently intensified its clampdown on cybercrime nationwide. In August, operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 arrested 38 suspected internet fraudsters at Mambillah Hotel, Ikorodu, Lagos, after days of surveillance. Items recovered from the suspects included vehicles, mobile phones and substances suspected to be narcotics.

Similarly, the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC secured the conviction of 12 persons, including two brothers, for fraud-related offences. They were sentenced by Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court after pleading guilty to charges bordering on advance fee fraud, possession of fraudulent documents and retention of proceeds of crime.

In July, the United States revised its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, reducing the validity of certain non-immigrant visas to three months and restricting them to single entry. The affected categories include B1/B2 visas for business and tourism, as well as F and J visas for students and exchange visitors.