The desire to live beyond their means has become common for many youths. Consequently, they have found the Internet as a quick fix to undeserved wealth, making cybercrime one of the major vices demanding urgent attention.
Rather than going the route of selfless service and hard work, some youths claim to be engaged in smart businesses on the Internet. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s report, the Internet Complaint Centre recorded about 300,000 complaints from victims that lost over $1.4 billion in online fraud in 2017, a disheartening testament to internet crime as the order of the day in our contemporary world.
Online fraudsters often pretend to be what they are not. They trick people and have access to their possessions, making life miserable for the victims.
Wikipedia explains that internet fraud is a type of cybercrime or deception which makes use of the internet and could involve hiding information or providing incorrect information for the purpose of tricking victims out of money, property and inheritance.
Therefore, an internet fraudster is one who uses the internet illegally for the purpose of tricking or defrauding victims out of wealth. They make use of the internet to exploit people for their own selfish interest. Internet fraud ranges from email spamming, account hacking to online scamming. It is not a hidden fact that cybercrime exists in almost all countries across the world. However, the degree of control and frequency of operation can be considered as factors affecting its prominence
It is even a pity that secondary school students now found themselves in illegal business. The current rate of students possessing exotic cars and lavishly spending money without any specific source of income is an indication of the degree of Internet fraud in the country.
As earlier mentioned, there is no society that doesn’t harbour the ‘G-guys’, a general term used to address internet fraudsters in Nigeria. However, the degree of existence differs. It is a vice ravaging the country that needs to be curbed. Those involved in the act see it as an alternative to get wealth and riches without considering the repercussions at the end of the day. They take valuables that do not belong to them by swindling people. Most of them have made that selfish decision to build houses and purchase cars in their early lives because it is what they view as an achievement. But the truth is, life is beyond that.
Today’s youths are in haste to live life in wealth, not minding that success without work and endurance is a failure. They want to live up to standard, wear designers and use the latest cars. They are influenced to delve into what they know nothing about in a bid to make quick money.
However, some goal-oriented youths have consciously disapproved of the act by their fellows, reiterating that anything illegal is a crime, no matter the argument to the contrary.
Phillip Anjorin, a student and writer from Adekunle Ajasin University, affirmed that cybercrime is really a menace that has become prevalent among Nigerian youths. “It has made their morale decay beyond measure. It is imperative that the youths realise their ability to raise their financial lives without being involved in crimes. Also, the need to inform the youths that a good name is better than gold or silver should not be jettisoned.”
He added that fraudsters are not always confident of their hustles, noting that “what’s pitiable about this cybercrime is that they can’t confidently boast of their wealth’s source or how will I go home and explain to my dad that I bought a flashy car without being asked a barrage of questions.”
“I believe we’ll win the fight against internet fraud someday. It’s in our hands to now discourage the atmosphere that promotes such action.”
For Emmanuel Akomishonu, he described the internet as a village with lots of essentials, but most Nigerian youths do not opt for those potentials. Rather, they opt for the negative aspects.
In his words: “Fraud is a very bad act. The internet has a lot of potentials, but as Nigerians, you find it more difficult tapping into the potential because of the high and increasing level of internet fraudulent activities by our countrymen.”
Also, Taiwo Temitope, a Mass Communication student of Adekunle Ajasin University who is a make-up artist and a writer, stated that both Internet fraud victims are humans and certainly, would not support the action taken to hurt fellow humans. She said, “It is a criminal offence to exploit people illegally for their hard-earned money, causing lots of emotional pain to those swindled, sometimes leading to suicide”.
Adeboye Victor, studying Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Mina in Niger State, emphasized the causes and reasons internet fraud should never be an option.
“With the few things I’ve seen lately, peer pressure and contempt have brought so many to cybercrime. Although to me, I do not see a reason to justify involvement in the act which will always lead to a dent in the image, societal stigma, guilty conscience and unrest of mind. I do not support being an internet fraudster but still, it can be noted that our country has gotten many involved in it.”
Taiwo Cosmas , a Law student of Adekunle Ajasin University and an entrepreneur, however, disclosed that Nigerian leaders are to be blamed for this grievous crime ravaging the country.
“I’m totally against internet fraud, it is a very dangerous vice which is synonymous with money laundering by our so-called leaders. If we have good leaders who are committed, honest, patriotic to the nation, then the issue of internet fraud will never emanate, such that the level of poverty and unemployment will be at its barest minimum. The youths will have easy access to their basic needs through empowerment schemes like scholarships, skill acquisitions and orientation.
In order to eradicate or fight against internet fraud, then our government must do what is right to its citizens,” he stated.
Corroborating Akinwale’s position on the issue, Adeife Adeboye, a nursing student of the University of Ibadan, observed that the prevalence of online fraud is a reflection of a failed governance, adding that, If Nigerian citizens, especially the youths are opened to opportunities and responsibly offer their potentials to the society, there would be less duping and fraud of all kinds.
Deborah Omoare, a student and female right activist who stated that fraudsters have soiled the country’s image, shared her story when she once lost an online job because she is a Nigerian. “The white woman said ‘you all are scams’ and the next thing she did was to block me”.
“I do not support the act even with the multitude of flimsy excuses fraudsters give to indulge in it. Fraud in Nigeria is an alarming vice mostly by youths and is on the rise. In whatever way, those who surrender to internet deception, undoubtedly have reasons for the irrational action”.
She however noted that no matter the present situation of the country, internet fraud should not be an option left to survive hardship and poverty. She encouraged youths to look beyond the surface and explore opportunities surrounding them.
“Let us take away that veil from our faces and strategise a better way of earning a living rather than inflicting pains on ourselves, through fraud. There are always opportunities in every disappointment. Our youths should wake up from their slumber and think about how to impact society positively, not the other way round. We must look for solutions to societal problems.
“It’s time for youths to delve into the world of entrepreneurship. It’s not all of us that will get a white-collar job. Instead of using unemployment or poverty as an excuse to commit internet crime, why not sit and plan on how to start small with your splendid ideas?”
Atere Gbemisola, a podcaster and writer confirmed that internet fraud is on the rise in Nigeria and people try to use the state of unemployment of the country to justify the crime. She implored the youths to have a practical skill, with hard work and patience go through the process of attaining financial freedom without soiling one’s hands in questionable acts.
Samuel Owooso also from the department of Mass communication at Adekunle Ajasin University, who is into acting said: “I don’t support the social vice. It is tantamount to the cruelty of the highest order. How will you defraud your fellow humans of material properties? Personally, I view it to be greed because, how will you want to earn what you did not work for? you are busy swindling people of what they have earned after much labour and hard work. There is no job out there, poverty is hovering on the surface of our domain. However, we need to know what is right and what is wrong.”
Collins Ojiehanor, a Business consultant and Public relations and advertising expert, shared his encounter with an internet fraudster, who claimed to be an agent. He had also witnessed a case of someone who pretended to be an agent who helped people manage their account if they invested in Bitcoin.
In the end, he defrauded an innocent student of N50,000. The matter was later reported to the security unit in the school and some lecturers took up the case.
