The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that rising cases of internet fraud are worsening visa restrictions for innocent Nigerians abroad.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said fraudulent practices not only destroy the future of those involved but also tarnish Nigeria’s international image, resulting in stricter travel conditions for law-abiding citizens.
Olukoyede, represented by Chief Superintendent CSE Coker Oyegunle, spoke on Monday at an event in Port Harcourt 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.
“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,” the statement read.
He added that such crimes “erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.”
The EFCC chairman cautioned youths to embrace digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry instead of cybercrime. He was quoted as saying: “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.”
Olukoyede further assured that the EFCC would intensify sensitisation, enforcement, and collaboration with communities to combat fraud.
The warning comes amid recent EFCC operations that led to multiple arrests and convictions of internet fraud suspects, and follows U.S. visa restrictions that now limit some categories to three-month, single-entry permits.