Parents Urge FG To Check Internet Fraud

Some parents in Lagos have decried the increasing rate of internet fraud and misuse, and urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to check the menace in the country.

They made their views known in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos on Saturday.

An Information Technology expert, Mr Justice Chimezie, the Chairman of Macro Legend Incorporated Alaba, told newsmen that Internet facilities were increasingly being used for criminal activities like hacking, scam, extortion, fraud and impersonation.

Chimezie said that though Internet had created myriad opportunities for commercial, social and educational activities, some unscrupulous individuals were abusing it.

He said that Internet fraud had tarnished the nation’s image and urged parents, guardians and caregivers to discourage their wards and youths from engaging in such fraudulent practices.

Mrs Amaka Anozie, a civil servant, told The Tide Source that the spate of criminal activities associated with the use of Internet was high.

Anozie attributed it to the eagerness of the youth to make quick money and cited the killing of Cynthia Osokogu as an example.

She said that this portrayed to a large extent, the level which some youths could go in their quest for money and urged the Federal Government to take more steps in providing IT security in the country.

Mr Mike Dugeri, a Lagos-based lawyer, said that the benefits of Internet use were enormous but that dubious people were, unfortunately, using it to satisfy their fraudulent instincts.

“These criminals now go as far as hacking pin numbers of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of individuals.

“The situation bothers me personally especially as I have been a victim of ATM fraud.

“While I was in my house, I received an alert on my phone that the sum of N20, 000 was being withdrawn from my account.

“I never made any withdrawal with my ATM and I was more shocked when on reporting to the bank, I was told that I actually made the withdrawal with my ATM card.

“Although the withdrawal was fraudulent, the bank could do nothing to help me since the records showed that my ATM made the withdrawal; but how this was done, I could not explain.

“These Internet hackers are smart and fast and I think it is time for the authorities to treat Internet fraud as a major issue in the country,” he said.

According to Dugeri, it is important for every individual to be on the look-out for fraudsters to avoid falling prey as criminal activities could be faster, easier and more damaging with the use of the Internet.

He also admonished parents to caution their wards and discourage them from engaging in the misuse of Internet facilities.