Although it has become more prevalent due to unemployment and lack of opportunities, 419 is not new to Nigeria. The number “419” refers to the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud.
Law enforcement agencies have scaled up their intelligence gathering to track those involved in the crime. These efforts have resulted in a string of arrest.
This criminal act has gotten so popular, many undergraduates in Nigerian universities engage in internet fraud, with many of them becoming filthy rich.
Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
On May 5, 2021, the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) arrested 30 suspected internet fraudsters in Ilorin, Kwara State. The majority of which are students, items recovered were ten exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, charms and several incriminating documents.
The most recent well-known arrest is internationally celebrated business tycoon, Obinwanne Okeke by the US authorities for stealing $11million. He was the head of Nigeria’s Invictus Group, was named by Forbes magazine in 2016 as one of its 30 top African entrepreneurs aged under 30.
Invictus Obi
Another high-profile case was the arrest of Nigeria’s social media’ celebrity’ Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
The 37-year-old, who described himself in his Instagram biography as a ‘real estate developer’, gained popularity by flaunting his wealth to over 2.5 million followers.
Hushpuppi
Many Nigerians are particularly worried that these scams might hamper international recognition of the country’s young entrepreneurs and the granting of visas to those with legitimate business interests in the US.
It is crucial that the government steps up to stem this rising wave of fraud by reducing the unemployment level and dealing with the economic crisis. Is “419” a part of the Nigerian culture? Or Is it a means for the youth to survive in a country like Nigeria?
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REFERENCES:
- https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/419-emails-and-letters
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/459089-analysis-despite-govt-clampdown-yahoo-yahoo-thrives-in-nigeria.html
- https://www.newsweek.com/origins-nigerias-notorious-419-scams-456701
- https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/nigerian-letter-or-419-fraud
- https://theconversation.com/meet-the-yahoo-boys-nigerias-undergraduate-conmen-60757
