Edo State Ranks Second in Convicted Cyber Fraud Cases, EFCC Reports
By Chibuzo Ihegboro
Effa Okim, Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission in charge of Edo, Delta and Ondo states, has revealed how underage Internet fraudsters, commonly called Yahoo Boys, declare false age to obtain driving licence, which they use to open bank accounts for warehousing illicit funds.
The zonal director revealed this during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State chapter.
Okim said: “We hear that underage boys are being sent to jail, which is not right in the sight of the law. But most of them declare that they are 18 years old just to enable them to open bank accounts to put their criminal proceeds. When they are arrested, their parents say their children are underage.
“We are asking them, ‘Where were you when he got his driving licence? Where were you when your underage son opened an account? Where were you when your son was spending money in an irresponsible manner?”
The EFCC zonal director also said Edo State has the second-highest number of cyber fraud convicts after Lagos State.