Nigerian Entertainment Industry fueling cyber fraud
Abisola Diekola
Internet scam, known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ has become the most rapid way of acquiring wealth for young people.
It’s like heaven for jobless youths, who are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow. This crime is perpetrated through electronic communication.
The rate at which young people get involved in internet fraud is now alarming. Even students, who are supposed to be pursuing their education, have got themselves involved in cybercrime.
This is spreading like wildfire among the youth, and even girls are now getting involved. It’s like a business venture for youths, and the investments tools are; smart phones or laptops, accessibility to internet and ample time.
Many youths have found themselves in this illegal activity and have acquired crazy wealth through this means. They drive fancy cars, party every day and live flamboyant lifestyles at the detriment of their victims.
Youths, who are involved in this, are masters of deception and have no moral. In spite of several arrests and convictions, Nigerian youths have continued to play the game, both home and abroad.
These days, some parents don’t even care how their children acquire wealth. They don’t ask questions.
These days, a large number of Nigeria dropouts, unemployed youths and undergraduate are turning out to be a generation of fraudsters.
Internet fraud is fast becoming a full blown business in Nigeria as some of those involved are gradually having smaller boys as ‘apprentices’ under them.
Internet fraudsters come in different categories as some are bigger than others, some are more sophisticated while some are less advanced. Some of these fraudsters have done things that will shock the imagination.
Funny enough, the Nigerian Entertainment Industry and some musical celebrities are not helping matters. They now praise ‘Yahoo Yahoo and Yahoo Plus ‘through various social platforms. Almost every song has content that praises and worship cyber fraudsters.
Yahoo Yahoo as the game is called has done an irreparable damage to the Nigeria image worldwide. Other countries look at Nigeria as the criminal capital of the world.
I remembered vividly while watching an international reality show called “90 days fiancé,” one of the stars in the show, Angela, was talking about her Nigerian boyfriend, when a co-star, Tarik, chirped in and said, “Isn’t Nigeria the scam capital of the world?”
Though Tarik received backlash from angry and offended Nigerians, who felt the statement was uncalled for and unnecessary, that didn’t stop the stereotyping, which many good Nigerians continue to suffer from. People see Nigeria as, “World Scam Capital.”
Yahoo Yahoo is now linked to ritual killings. These youths have now gone far by engaging and using diabolical means to boost and get positive responses from their clients. This is called “Yahoo Plus.”
Yahoo Plus is an advanced form of cyber fraud. Yahoo Plus is the fetish aspect of the business; in this case, some of these fraudsters hypnotized their victims in order to get money from them.
No wonder there has been an increase in the spate of female pants stealing. Young ladies and children are disappearing, every day.
What needs to change?
We as Nigerians need to change our attitude towards money. Nigerians at all level worship money. The younger generation envies the older, especially politicians, who are extremely rich.
Some of these youths justify their use of people for money, by citing examples of rich public office holders.
Money is good, yes, we all love to have it, but we must do decent things while trying to get it. Not everyone can be an Otedola or a Dangote.
Those in government should endeavour to be examples of responsible people. Everything in Nigeria is being monetized, even our votes! We’re too willing to trade anything just for cash and food.
Government should make sure there is provision of jobs for the jobless and sincere efforts should also be made in the area of security.
The police, DSS, EFCC and other relevant authorities must be sincere in their resolve to stamp out crime and corruption in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the country cannot be cleansed without every Nigeria being involved. We should all be responsible enough to report criminals and fraudsters.
We know these criminals; they are our brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and neighbours in one way or another. We should all be whistle blowers. And while being whistle blowers, the citizen should be able to be assured of protection by security agencies.
Abisola Diekola is an ND1 undergraduate of YabaTech
First Published 2019
