Crime
A cross section of the public, made up of security experts, legal practitioners and religious leaders, have identified factors inspiring fraudulent activities and ways to make fraud less appealing.
The respondents expressed their divergent views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Sunday.
In his opinion, a security expert, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu, said the question of fraud had always been on the front burner globally.
He, however, said Nigeria has been receiving more attention on the subject given the various accounts of high-profile cases.
“While the criminal justice system, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) are doing everything within the ambit of the law to bring people to justice, it has not abated,” Aremu said.
According to him, fraud is a behavioural issue motivated by the inability to be rational amid temptations.
The temptations, he said, come from internally and externally driven pressures coupled with the seeming perceived opportunities or gains associated with them.
The don stated that the country would continue to have more fraud cases as long as there were no strong punitive measures by the criminal justice system.
“While this could mitigate fraud cases, making it come with behavioural reorientation could be more efficacious.
“Here, the country needs to reawaken national consciousness through which the question of morality, virtues and values would be made to be consciously imbibed and internalised by all.
“This will also require a national revival which should be a top-down approach,” Aremu said.
Meanwhile, a Principal Legal Officer with the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr Isaac Onah, identified unemployment as the major promoter of internet fraud within the nation’s context.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that a country with an estimated population of 250 million with 33 per cent unemployment wallowing in idleness and facing an uncertain future will not swoop at any deception that will assure them of a brighter future, however, interim it will be.
“There is also the present-day youths’ inordinate desire to get rich quick, unfair peer pressure, and the urge to impress people,” he said.
According to Onah, the perennial issue of rising inflation and the valueless of the minimum wage can also instigate fraudulent acts in individuals.
He identified some of the crimes as, Yahoo-Yahoo, Yahoo-Plus, Oracle Plus, Yahoo-Yahoo Extra, Wire-Wire, and Alibaba.
“They prey on unsuspecting Nigerians and foreigners alike.
“The activities of these fraudsters discourage foreigners from doing business in Nigeria as well as damage the reputation of the country.
“They hack into the systems of the companies and make away with vital information and money.
“The criminals also use love charms, diabolic ritual acts, making of sacrifice with human parts, and using charms to hypnotise their victims; these criminals own expensive cars, property in choice locations, jewellery, and other assorted,” he said.
To curb the menace, the legal practitioner recommended that the police, through its Special Fraud Unit, and the EFCC, should intensify their efforts by being proactive in the fight against fraud.
He said there should also be an awareness, sensitisation and education of the public on the tactics the fraudsters adopt to hoodwink their victims.
He added that susceptible victims such as the government, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), and businesses should use their respective platforms to raise awareness on the detection and avoidance of criminals.
“It is equally advised that the level of publicity fraud suspects receive when arrested should be replicated from the commencement of the case through conviction to sentence as many arrestees seem to bribe their way out immediately after the parade,” he said.
Also, a legal practitioner, Mr Tobi Fatoki, said that fraud-related issues had been from time immemorial, even as recorded in the spiritual books.
“It is not overreaching to rhetorically ask; ‘On what basis was colonisation/slave trade especially to Africa?’
“Many factors contribute to the tremendous increase in fraud and such factors include but are not limited to the lack of political will to strongly fight corruption, corrupt leaders/rulers, greed, the get-rich-quick syndrome, impatient, jealousy, peer pressure etc.
“If fraud can be completely staled among the politicians, businessmen and youths in Nigeria, then we shall enjoy a heaven-like nation,” Fatoki said.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State Branch, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, identified technological advancement as another cause leading to the increasing acts of fraud.
Akinyemiju stressed that with the upward thrust of technology, particularly the internet and virtual systems, there had been greater possibilities for fraudulent activities.
The state CAN chairman also said that economic instability and financial hassles could drive people to engage in fraudulent activities to survive.
“Lack of ethical education is another factor.
“Some individuals may also lack proper moral education or ethical steerage, leading them to interact in fraudulent behaviour without fully understanding the outcome or ethical implication of their moves.
“Social media structure can also play a function in facilitating fraudulent schemes, along with investment scams, fake task possibilities, and romance scams.
“There is the influence of parents and poverty on youth involvement in fraud.
“While it is feasible that a few parents may, without delay, encourage their youngsters to interact with fraudulent activities due to monetary strain or inaccurate priorities, it is vital to apprehend that now; not all parents condone or inspire such conduct,” he said.
Akinyemiju remarked that addressing poverty via focused interventions, which include schooling and schooling programmes, process creation initiatives, and social welfare help, could help mitigate the hazards of youngsters’ involvement in fraud.
According to him, it is also essential to prioritise education and attention campaigns to teach individuals, mainly youths, approximately the outcome of fraud and the significance of moral behaviour.
He called for governments and law enforcement corporations to work to reinforce legal frameworks and regulatory mechanisms to deter fraud and hold perpetrators responsible.
The religious leader further emphasised that communities and civil society groups could play critical positions in offering aid and empowerment initiatives.
This, he said, consists of mentorship programmes, counselling offerings, and vocational education possibilities.
“Collaboration among spiritual leaders, government companies, and civil society groups can facilitate the dissemination of anti-fraud messages, sell ethical teachings, and offer assistance to people and households laid low with fraud.
“These measures, blended with a concerted effort from all sectors of society, can help cope with the root reasons of fraud and create a more resilient and ethical society,” Akinyemiju said.
However, Pastor John Medupin of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) identified the breakdown of moral values and ethical standards as major players leading to the rise in fraud cases.
“When individuals prioritise personal gain over integrity and honesty, they may be more inclined to commit fraudulent acts.
“The increasing influence of materialism and consumerism in society can lead people to pursue wealth at any cost, even resorting to fraudulent activities.
“Moreover, the ease of access to technology and the internet has opened up new avenues for committing fraud.
“Cybercrime has become increasingly prevalent with scammers taking advantage of unsuspecting individuals through various online schemes.
“Economic challenges and financial instability can create desperation and drive individuals to engage in fraudulent activities as a means of survival.
“When people struggle to make ends meet or face significant financial burdens, they may feel compelled to resort to illegal means to alleviate their circumstances.
“While poverty can create immense pressure and desperation, leading some youths to consider illegal means to alleviate financial struggles, it is crucial to note that parents generally do not intentionally push their children towards criminal behaviour,” he said.
Medupin remarked that parents facing poverty themselves may inadvertently contribute to a challenging environment for their children, where financial strain and lack of resources could impact the youths’ well-being and decision-making.
He stressed the importance of communities and religious leaders in addressing systemic issues.
This, he said, they could achieve by providing support to families in need, offering guidance and mentorship to youths, and emphasising the values of honesty, integrity and compassion.
“By fostering an environment that promotes ethical behaviour, supports those in need, and encourages positive role models, we can help steer youths away from the temptation of fraud and toward a path of righteousness and integrity.
“I believe that addressing the root causes of fraud involves promoting values of honesty, integrity, and compassion within our communities.
“Encouraging individuals to prioritise moral principles over material gain, providing support for those facing economic hardships, and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency can all contribute to mitigating the prevalence of fraud in society,” Medupin said.
Meanwhile, an Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Habeebulah Buhari, says God dislikes anyone engaging in fraud and other illicit activities.
According to him, it is a sin in Islam to engage in fraud and other vices, explaining that perpetrators will not receive God’s blessing unless they repent.
“Fraudsters have caused a lot of irreparable damage to the lives of their victims, the Nigerian economy and the country’s image.
“Do you think a fraud victim will pray for him/her? The victim will constantly curse the perpetrator of fraud.
“The curse will, definitely, come to pass unless the person repents and stops engaging in such behaviour.
“Fraudsters may be rich on earth but they will surely not escape God’s punishment in the hereafter,” the cleric said.
He called on Nigerians to stop celebrating the rich without questioning their source of wealth, as this would help to discourage people’s involvement in illegitimate means of livelihood.
NAN reports that from the records of the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for the first quarter of 2024, fraud-related cases come next to stealing with 65 cases recorded.
A lawyer, Mr Mumin Jimoh, said people intending to travel out of the country mostly fall victim to fraudsters nowadays.
“In this era of ‘Japa’, some fake travel agencies use different tricks to siphon money from people seeking to obtain Visas.
“Hence, visa fraud is the most prevalent, while others are based on business fraud,” he said.
An activist, Mr Michael Adenrele, said fraud cases had become rampant as most fraudsters hide under the cover of slow justice dispensation to perpetrate their trick on their victim.
“They know that after being caught, they would be arraigned in court by the police and after bail conditions had been met, which must be, no thanks to their other colleagues who make sure the defendant is released.
“After many years of adjournments, the fraudster might have absconded and jumped bail.
“The bench warrant obtained from the court to get him arrested would be abortive as he might have changed address.
“All this and other factors make fraud rampant,” he said. (NAN)
F.A
May 5, 2024
