The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has attributed the alarming surge of internet fraud in Nigeria to what it described as “laziness” and “greed” among young people.
According to the Commission, the obsession with quick wealth and flashy lifestyles has continued to destroy promising futures and tarnish the country’s image globally.
Speaking during an orientation and sensitisation programme for new students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Nigerian Air Force, Mando, Kaduna, for the 2025/2026 academic session, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, urged Nigerian youths to embrace integrity and hard work.
Represented by Chief Superintendent Nana Fatima Abubakar of the EFCC’s Public Affairs Department, Olukoyede delivered a lecture titled “Dangers of Cybercrime”, where he reminded students that there is no shortcut to wealth.
“Success comes only through hard work, perseverance, and dedication,” he said. “The urge to get rich quickly often ends in loss of freedom, damage to one’s image, depression, or even death.”
The EFCC Chairman lamented that many young Nigerians now see internet fraud as the fastest route to success, rather than pursuing legitimate careers through patience and creativity.
Olukoyede identified greed, peer pressure, laziness, and lack of patriotism as key factors driving cybercrime among youths. He expressed concern that some fraudsters now combine internet scams with drug abuse and fetish practices, a trend he described as a dangerous sign of moral decay.
The EFCC, however, encouraged students to use the internet for positive and innovative ventures that can earn them honest income and global recognition.
He also urged participants to support the Commission’s anti-corruption drive by reporting suspicious activities through the Eagle Eye App, assuring that whistleblowers’ identities will remain confidential.
