By Sesi Noah The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the rising wave of internet fraud is fueling tougher visa ...
By Sesi Noah
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the rising wave of internet fraud is fueling tougher visa restrictions for genuine Nigerians hoping to travel abroad.
According to Vanguard EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said cybercrime doesn’t just ruin the future of those involved but also damages Nigeria’s image internationally, making innocent citizens pay the price through stricter travel conditions.
Olukoyede, represented by Chief Superintendent CSE Coker Oyegunle, gave the warning on Monday at an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organized by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs.
In a statement released Tuesday, the EFCC stressed that internet fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes drain Nigeria of billions of naira every year, slow down national development, and deny citizens access to jobs, infrastructure, and opportunities. On top of that, these crimes tarnish the country’s reputation and trigger visa hurdles for law-abiding Nigerians.
The EFCC boss urged youths to focus on productive ventures like digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry instead of cybercrime.
“Fraud is not success; it’s a trap,” he said. “Easy come, easy go. Many who chase ‘yahoo-yahoo’ end up losing their freedom, their reputation, and their future. The law always catches up, and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow by taking shortcuts today.”
He also restated the agency’s commitment to more awareness campaigns, stronger enforcement, and deeper community collaboration to curb cybercrime.
This comes after the United States, in July, slashed the validity of some non-immigrant visas for Nigerians—such as business/tourism (B1/B2), student (F), and exchange visitor (J) visas—to just three months, allowing only single entry.
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