WorldStage– The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has charged youths across the country to tread the path of integrity for a secure future.
He gave the charge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while addressing youths and teenagers in a conference organized by the Organization of African Instituted Churches, Rivers State Chapter, held at the Port Harcourt Ecumenical Centre with focus on addressing social vices.
Speaking through Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE James Adayilo Hosea on the topic: “Internet Fraud Dangers, Consequences and Godly Alternative,” Olukoyede described internet fraud as the use of the internet, computers, mobile phones or social media to deceive people for financial gains and exposed the inherent dangers and their consequences on the future of the youthful fraudsters.
He also identified righteous alternatives to internet fraud, available to young persons.
He identified internet crimes to include, fake online investments, romance scams, identity theft, social media impersonation, online shopping scams, cryptocurrency scams, fake giveaways and fraudulent job offers.
The dangers, he said, include, arrest, prosecution, conviction, imprisonment and possibly asset forfeiture. “All you have laboured for will be taken away”, he said.
He identified peer pressure and the desire to get rich quickly as the strongest motivations of youths in their involvement in internet fraud. “Many young people want quick results without process. They want a car before career; comfortable lifestyle before they labour. They want rewards before work. Unfortunately, life does not work that way. Success without process rarely lasts. Peer pressure also leads some into committing internet crimes,” he said.
The EFCC boss called on the youths as followers of Christ to stand apart and demonstrate integrity in all they do. “God created every young person with unique gifts, talents, and a purpose.
He did not create us to live by deception or dishonesty, but to be lights in our generation,” he said, adding that God created every young person with gifts, talents, and potential.
“Instead of using technology to scam people, use it to create value and be responsible citizens by learning useful skills and contributing meaningfully to the growth of the economy,” he said.
He urged the youths “to choose their friends wisely, avoid get-rich-quick schemes, develop marketable skills, seek mentors that have integrity, spend time in prayer and in God’s Word, create a personal development plans, focus on long-term success rather than instant gratification and use technology to create value rather than exploit others.”
