The rate at which young people, particularly the males, are indulging in cyber fraud, and the way our government of the day condones such illegal means of making money is alarming. The fact that Nigeria as a country is ravaged by unemployment does not in any way mean that young men should take up internet scamming as an escape route from poverty and unemployment.
I am not implying that our government has openly given approval to the youths of the country that they should be online scammers, no. However, the fact that they have not enshrined a severe punishment for that crime into the constitution and also, as much as they could, implement it has indirectly passed a message that they have consented to the crime.
Again, why should a government sometimes release internet scammers on bail, and sometimes at a very high cost – in millions? Aren't they (yahoo boys) still going to use that ill-gotten money to set themselves free from incarceration? Well, I should not blame them that much. A father who has not been able to show morality in his conduct would dare not roar at a child who misbehaves. A father who has all the needed resources but has failed to cater to the needs of his children will lose his voice over them.
I recently visited a community in Imo State (though, I have been a frequent visitor to the community). There was something I noticed among the youths who live here during my first visit. Hardly will you see a young man who does not take part in internet scamming. This is not an allegation. They do it openly and would sometimes brag about it. The trend here is that a successful Yahoo boy must own a motorbike, plait his hair, pierce his ears, and live a flashy and lavishing lifestyle. The cost of living in the areas where these boys live is usually very high.
You Can't Blame this on Unemployment.
I had a conversation with one of them here and while we conversed, I was curious to know why they prefer doing this kind of dirty business to other things. His candid response was that there are no jobs for the youths in the country. I did not find his excuse plausible. If there are no jobs from the government, how about acquiring a skill and living from it? Young people here hardly consider learning a trade or acquiring a school, they always prefer Yahoo - Yahoo.
No one should blame this kind of lifestyle on the government's failure to provide jobs. I'm not supporting the government's lackadaisical attitude towards job creation either, but I know that regardless of this, there are young men who have chosen to make their money through honest and legitimate means.
Yahoo - Yahoo is sponsored by greed, a get-rich-quick desire, and discontentment. It is greed that has driven many young people into it.
We Can't Continue to Dent Our Reputation.
I recently watched a video clip from a white family on Facebook. In that video, a boy came running to his parents, requesting that they should quickly call out their phone number to a caller who wanted to send them money. The parents quickly waved him and told him it was one of the scammers from Nigeria. I didn't find it funny. It instead dealt a great blow to me, being a Nigerian. This was just one of the numerous consequences that this greedy act has brought upon our image as a people.
You Must Live above it
The only solution that I have found that will help every young Nigerian not to consider making a livelihood out of internet scamming is productivity. Every young person should think and work towards being productive and never entertain idleness. Think of the honest and legitimate businesses or skills that you can start from and keep away from lifestyles and bad companies that can easily draw you into this net. Be contented with the little you are earning now while you work towards achieving those big goals.
Take Responsibility, Stop the Blame Game.
One of the routes that plunge a man into perpetual poverty is blaming someone else for his failure. Don't sit all day blaming the government that they have not given you a job. Get up, stand up, make one for yourself.
There's always a Way, Even When We Can't Find any Trace.
This is one of the philosophies that has been driving me over the years. No matter how tough it gets, I can never be stranded as long as I am doing my best. God will come through for me. This should also be your drive.