24 hours after it announced the arrest of 25 students of a university caught out in internet scams, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through its acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, has urged university students in the country to beware of financial gains that are too attractive, stating that such offers most times, turn out to be fraud.
Magu gave the charge on Thursday September 19, 2019 when students of the Banking and Finance Department of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, MAUTECH, Adamawa State paid scheduled visit to the corporate headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.
Addressing the students on behalf of the Acting Chairman, a staff of the Advance Fee Fraud Unit, Njideka Nnam, enlightened them on the different fraudulent activities perpetuated by individuals and financial institutions through the internet and advised them to beware of financial gains that are too attractive, adding that most of the offers they see on internet, are indeed fraudulent.
Also the head of Cybercrime Unit, Saad Abubakar, urged the students to be careful in the use of the internet and ensure that they protect their personal financial information in order not to fall victim of fraud.
According to him, “never forget that whatever you search on the internet, will always come back searching for you”.
He enjoined the students to join in the fight against corruption by making sure that they are transparent in all their dealings.
Speaking on the Role of Digital Forensics in combating cybercrime, a staff of the Forensic Section, Muktar Bello, explained how digital forensics have helped tremendously in retrieving lost files and evidence of fraud by scammers, adding that there is no information that cannot be retrieved from any device.
The Head, Public Interface Unit, Tony Orilade, spoke on the role of the Social Media in the fight against corruption, explaining that it was a strong tool to fight corruption.
The leader of delegation and lecturer with the institution, Dr Ahmed Lamidu, thanked the commission for the knowledge impacted on the students, adding that the visit to the Commission had given them the practical insights into the operations of the EFCC.
In a related development, Magu has expressed the belief that tackling corruption would ensure the peace and development of the country. He stated this on Thursday September 19, 2019 at an event organised by a non governmental organisation, Faculty of Peace in commemoration of World Peace Day with the theme, “Corruption, Threat to National Peace and Development,” in Benin, Edo State.
The EFCC boss said tackling corruption would reduce criminality and create platforms for development He explained, “Peace is fragile. Corruption can create crises and underdevelopment. That is why we must join hands to root out corruption. We must collectively work to bring to justice those who want to reap where they did not sow”
The Acting Chairman who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs Department, Benin Zonal Office called on all patriotic Nigerians to join hands with the Commission in the fight against corruption. He said the task of eliminating corruption was onerous adding that all must be involved in the task.
