The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, recently revealed a chilling incident that highlights the alarming prowess of young cybercriminals. Here’s a breakdown of the concerning revelation and the EFCC’s response as published by a publication by Punch News:
- EFCC Chairman’s Revelation: Olukoyede disclosed an alarming incident where a 17-year-old hacked into his personal computer and bank account while being interrogated at the EFCC office in Lagos.
- Incident Details: The teenager, studying History and Anthropology, effortlessly bypassed security measures on Olukoyede’s laptop, accessing his BVN and bank account details without prior knowledge.
- Concerns and Consequences: Olukoyede emphasized the need to discourage such actions by young individuals due to the potential for imprisonment or fatal consequences. However, he also acknowledged the potential opportunities and advocated for a balanced approach to punishment and rehabilitation.
- EFCC’s Approach: The EFCC aims to administer light sentences to young cybercrime offenders while focusing on reorienting them. Olukoyede highlighted the importance of not destroying the future and career of these youths through harsh punishments.
- Rehabilitation Efforts: In a bold move, Olukoyede assured the teenager of support for his education if he stopped his criminal activities. Efforts are also underway to secure schooling for the hacker’s siblings.
- Long-term Strategy: Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to rehabilitating convicted internet fraudsters with reduced sentences. He stressed the negative implications of having an ‘ex-convict’ tag and the importance of preventing youth from engaging in cybercrime.
