*To Prosecute Highly Placed Nigerians…
Tracereporters.com –Worried by the increase wave of internet and cyber crimes in the country, officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) collaboration between the commission and the Federal Bureau for Investigation, FBI have recovered the sum of $314,000 (Three hundred and fourteen thousand USD and about N373, 000,000 (Three hundred and seventy three million naira) from computer related fraud perpetrators.
The sum of N373m has been traced to various commercial banks, EFCC have warned that the commission will not hesitate to prosecute anyone caught, no matter how highly placed in the society.
The zonal office from January to date received 345 petitions, 286 were considered for investigations, 52 forwarded to legal and prosecution department, 56 cases in court.
“Kaduna Zonal office recovered the sum of N198,727,241.5million and $48,000 US Dollars in cash and draft.
“Over the years, the alarming growth of the internet and it widespread acceptance has led to increase in security threat, the increase of this crime in our society has become alarming and should not be overlooked.
“The impact on this type of crime can be felt on the lives, economy and international reputation of a nation, some of the impact include monetary losses, piracy, loss of vital information, damage the nation reputation, economic data been lost due to virus attack among others.
“The commission recognizes the critical role of the press as stake holders in the fight against corruption in the country. The press in Nigeria will continue to play vital role in holding government accountable as well as exposing corrupt people with corrupt tendency and also sensitizing the general public on the ills of corruption.
“The commissions call on all stakeholders particularly the media, to continue the collaboration with us to make the fight against corruption a success.
“Let me on behalf of the Acting Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu welcome our distinguished partner, the press to this press conference.
“We also want to appeal and advice the youths to desist from crime while advising parents to closely monitor their children.
Furthermore the general public should be mindful on the way the handle their bank details not to fall victims of internet scammers, they should Endeavour to report all bogus profit making ventures to the EFCC or any anti graft agency”
