The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the growing incidence of internet fraud is contributing to stricter visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said such fraudulent practices not only destroy the future of those involved but also damage Nigeria’s international image, resulting in increased scrutiny and harsher travel conditions for law-abiding citizens.
Olukoyede, represented by 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 comments were contained in a statement released by the commission on Tuesday.
“The EFCC boss highlighted that 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, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad,” the statement read.
Olukoyede 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. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to intensifying sensitisation, enforcement, and collaboration with communities to combat fraud and related crimes.
Also speaking at the event, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mathew Ewah, described drug abuse as one of the gravest threats facing Nigerian youths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) cautioned against pipeline vandalism in the South-South.
The EFCC has recently stepped up its crackdown on cybercrime nationwide.
In August, operatives from 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 EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate recently secured the conviction of 12 persons — including two brothers — for fraud-related offences. They were sentenced by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court after pleading guilty to charges bordering on advance fee fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.
