Emmanuel Ogodo, EMERALD NEWS Abuja based Special Reporter, writes on the ugly trend of internet fraudsters. Many business owners, traders, students have pathetic tales of encounter with these thieves across the world.
Many businesses have collapsed across the world courtesy of internet fraudsters. It has been a growing phenomenon as the years go by. This is amidst series of arrests by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the international security agencies as in the case of Hushpuppi and his likes. Amidst these concerted crackdowns globally, internet criminals are on the rise.
They have wrecked havoc to businesses, emptied people’s accounts and rendered them financially incapacitated overnight. The fraudsters become wealthy without traceable means of income. They approach their victims with utmost sincerity of purpose but as soon as they hit their target and accomplish their missions, they vanish.
Many have shared tales of woeful encounter with these internet thieves with accompanying shattered dreams. A job seeker, Miss Peace Idenyi, who said she had been defrauded before, opined that internet fraud cannot be successfully carried out unless the victim yields to the demands of the fraudster.
“Last year, I needed a job badly. As a result, I submitted several applications to different organisations, both online and offline. So one day, a man called me and said he was calling from so so and so company. He said that the position I had applied for was a highly competitive one, that many applicants had their eyes on it, but that if I could pay him ₦50,000 (in confidence), he would secure the spot for me.”
“To further convince or should I say confuse me, he detailed the contents of my CV correctly. He requested for a part payment of ₦30,000, which I had to borrow to send to him. He also requested that I bring my credentials to a particular location. I went there and waited for long, but saw no one. He later called to cancel the meeting, apologising for not being able to meet up.”
“Later on, he called to fix another meeting, but, however, requested that I send him the balance of ₦20,000, before we meet, saying there were a lot of people to settle. I began to suspect, but it seemed I was under a spell. I thought about how much I needed the job and the initial commitment I already made, so I had to borrow again to balance him. The moment I sent the money was the last time I heard from him. The number never went through again,” she narrated.
“If anyone calls or sends you a mail or message, seeking any sensitive information or saying what seems suspicious to you, simply block the person before it becomes too late,” she advised.
A business man, Mr. Gilbert Paragon also narrated his own encounter with hackers.
“Earlier this year, my Facebook account was hacked, which denied me access to it. The hacker used the account to send messages to many of my associates and friends, demanding money from them. Some called me to verify the authenticity of the messages they got, but others sent huge sums of money to the hacker without asking questions.”
“It was later on that they began to call me, asking if the deal I proposed to them hadn’t matured or when I would pay them the money they lent me. Even till now, after I have recovered the account, some still call or message me to ask the same set of questions. I tell them categorically that they were duped.”
Mr. Paragon advised social media users not to send money to people because of messages they get online, unless they verify the authenticity of such messages, noting that many of such messages come from impostors.
Arising from the wave of internet fraud globally, a<span;> computer scientist and Internet expert, Mr. Miracle Seyin, cautioned internet users against carefree divulgence of sensitive information online, especially to unknown and untrusted people
Mr. Seyin, who noted that the internet, since its advent in the 20th century, has made life easier, however, decried that the technology came with myriad of unfavorable sides, which have aided criminality and thievery in high scales.
“Since the 1960s when internet was invented, it has been a source of relief, making life simpler and easier for its users. On the other hand, it has also been an embodiment of catastrophe to the society. Many have gained and many have lost fortunes over the internet,” the expert said.
Mr. Seyin identified some kinds of fraud perpetuated over the internet and advised people to be cautious of all activities they undertake online, in order not to fall prey to fraudsters.
According to him, “The internet is awash with different kinds of cyber criminals. We have the hackers, phishers, fake employers, online shop fakers and cloners, bank scammers, and many others. The fast emerging ones in Nigeria now are the ones I refer to as the internet blackmailers.”
These people obtain confidential and private information about their victims, and with such information, begin to extort the victims, whom they threaten publicising their data, should they fail to comply. Those who engage in online dating must be extremely careful and conscious of this,” he warned.
Mr. Seyin identified ignorance, covetousness and greed as major reasons people fall prey to internet fraudsters, and called on more stringent measures to curb the menace.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had ranked Nigeria 16th among the countries most affected by internet crime in the world in 2020. This calls for concerted effort in fighting the ugly trend in the country.
