The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised an alarm that the growing menace of internet fraud is worsening visa restrictions for law-abiding Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, warned that cybercrime not only jeopardises the future of perpetrators but also tarnishes Nigeria’s global image, leading to stricter travel conditions for innocent citizens.
Olukoyede, represented by Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, delivered the warning on Monday during an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs. The statement was released by the commission on Tuesday.
According to him, internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, depriving citizens of jobs, infrastructure, and opportunities. Beyond the financial losses, he said the crimes erode Nigeria’s international reputation and subject innocent Nigerians to tighter visa restrictions.
He urged young people to channel their energy into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry, rather than cybercrime.
“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.
The EFCC boss also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to intensifying sensitisation campaigns, enforcement efforts, and collaboration with communities to curb cybercrime and related offences.
The warning comes against the backdrop of the July announcement by the United States of a revised visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, which reduced the validity of certain non-immigrant visas—such as B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) visas—to three months and limited them to single entry.
