EFCC Links Cybercrime to Stricter Visa Rules Against Nigerians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has attributed the difficulties Nigerians face in securing visas abroad to the rising cases of internet fraud and money laundering.

According to the Commission, these crimes have left a deep mark on Nigeria’s reputation, forcing countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates to tighten their visa procedures for Nigerian applicants. 

Innocent travellers now face longer processing times, higher rejection rates, and heightened scrutiny simply because of the global perception of Nigeria as a fraud hotspot.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, speaking through the Head of the Advance Fee Fraud Section in Port Harcourt, CSE Coker Oyegunle, warned young people against embracing internet fraud. 

“Fraud is not a success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go. Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them, and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with shortcuts today.”

He further stressed that cybercrime is not only damaging the country’s image but also draining the economy. “Internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities,” he said.

The EFCC pointed to recent operations that emphasize the scale of the problem. In August 2025, its operatives in Lagos arrested 38 suspected internet fraudsters following surveillance at Mambillah Hotel, Ikorodu. The Benin Zonal Directorate also secured convictions of 12 individuals, including two brothers, for advance fee fraud and possession of fake documents. 

Beyond domestic arrests, Nigeria has deported foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime, including 50 Chinese citizens and one Tunisian, as part of a wider crackdown.

Olukoyede’s comments came at a youth sensitisation event organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA). Other agencies echoed his concerns. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Mathew Ewah, drew attention to drug abuse among young people, calling it one of the country’s most dangerous social problems. 

“Drug abuse is a social problem. Sadly, youths are the majority abusing drugs in Nigeria, and this is worrisome. It turns many into social misfits, affecting their families, communities, and ultimately the country,” he warned.

Also addressing the gathering, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) highlighted the environmental and health dangers of oil pipeline vandalism in the South-South. Assistant Superintendent of Corps, Kabiru Zakari, cautioned: “Youths must stop being tools of vandalism and instead serve as community surveillance officers who protect, not destroy, our resources.”

To combat fraud more directly, the EFCC last year set up an Immigration Fraud Section with offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano. The unit, which works closely with the Nigerian Immigration Service and foreign embassies, is tasked with breaking visa rackets, fake travel document syndicates, and other transnational fraud networks.

The Commission maintains that prevention is just as important as prosecution. Young Nigerians, Olukoyede advised, should channel their energy into productive fields such as digital innovation, agriculture, and creative industries rather than chasing quick, destructive gains.

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