As our world keeps evolving with the explosion of technology and immense internet usage, so has the wittiness of certain individuals to perpetrate faceless crimes behind the screen of their personal computer. Cybercrimes - which ranges from internet scams to phishing, cyberstalking, hacking, identity theft, cyberterrorism and so on - have been resorted to as a revenue-generating avenue that assuage the luxury life of individuals that they have not broken a sweat to earn.
The multiplicity of Yahoo boys is something that has not escaped the consciousness of the average Nigerian, and while the act of cyber criminality has often been directed at foreigners - a situation has deeply tarnished the image of the nation on the international scene - Nigerians at home have also not exempted from feeling the scourge of cybercrimes.
According to a report prepared by two cybersecurity firms, Serianu Limited and Demadiur Systems Limited, it was estimated that Nigeria lost funds in the tune of N198.6 billion between 2016 and 2017 alone. It is not out of place to those who have been victimized failing to act immediately by reporting the crime to the appropriate agencies; this, on its own, has been one of the reasons cybercrime appears to have been thriving in the land. Viewing it from a different angle, it is possible that most of those who have fallen victim do not even who to report the case to.
It is these circumstances that necessitated the writing of this particular article wherein I shall now [without further ado], discuss how you can report cybercrime.
You can do this by filing a report to any of the following agencies:
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC): You can reach EFCC via [email protected] or call any of the following phone numbers: +234-9-9044751; +234-9-9044752; +234-9-9044753; 08093322644.
- Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU): You can call the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit via 08038506135 OR 08066827830. Optionally, you can visit www.specialfraudunit.org.ng/en/?page_id=202 or send an email to [email protected] to log your complaints.
- By way of extension; you can also report cybercrime [especially as it relates to e-tax payment/transaction] to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by visiting http://www.firs.gov.ng/aboutus/pages/fraud-Alert.aspx OR send an email to [email protected]
Furthermore, you can report cybercrime incidences bordering on financial matters to the officials at your bank, and from there, the issue can be relayed to relevant authorities.
BONUS
The laxity of the law in handling cybercrime cases prior to the enactment of the Cybercrime Act 2015 could be said to be one of the major reasons this kind of crime has proliferated in the country - though one cannot be oblivious of the fact that the architecture of the internet makes it easy to perpetrate such crimes; plus gross unemployment yet contribute in the spread of these crimes.
The enactment of the Cybercrime Act 2015 is however a step in the right direction in the fight against cybercrime. You can have a look at the Cybercrime Act 2015 at www.cert.gov.ng/resources/article/cybercrime-prohibition-prevention-etc-act-2015-document
PARTING SHOT
It is very fine that you are not into cybercrime - or crime of any sort - but it is even better if you do not keep silent or fold hands when you become aware of incidences of cybercrime. Evil only thrives when good people fail to do what is needful…so, make a commitment towards reporting cybercrime today.