The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has urged Nigerian students to desist from cyber crimes, popularl referred to as Yahoo -yahoo and all other forms of internet-related offences that could derail their destinies.Magu stated this on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 while delivering a lecture at the University of Ilorin on the dangers of internet fraud.
The EFCC boss who was represented by Head, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences, Ilorin Zonal Office, Olamide Sadiq said anyone caught for offences bordering on internet fraud would be detained, prosecuted and jailed.According to him, “if you use pictures that do not belong to you just with intent to defraud someone, it is impersonation. You have committed an offence that carries five years imprisonment.
“I am emphasising to you on the need to desist from cyber crimes. If you are found to be in possession of fraudulent documents, you have committed a criminal offence which has a great consequence.”The EFCC boss informed the students that the Commission has special powers to cause investigations into anyone or corporate body, suspected to have participated in economic and financial crimes.”
When it comes to issue of internet fraud, Section 7 of the EFCC Act gives a special power to the Commission to investigate anyone suspected to have committed internet crimes. “A police officer can arrest an internet fraudster and bring him/her to the Commission. If we find out that the person is innocent, we will allow him or her to go.”