The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede has charged teenagers across the country to shun cybercrime and other offences, urging them to embrace integrity, hard work and legitimate means of achieving success.

He gave the charge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday, September 7, 2026 on the topic “Internet Fraud-Dangers, Consequences and Godly Alternatives”.

Represented by Superintendent of EFCC, SE Akpos Mezeh-Ekisowei, Olukoyede stated that internet fraud involved the use gadgets to deceive people for financial gains and may be linked to such activities as online investment scams, romance scams, identity theft, social media impersonation, online shopping scams, cryptocurrency scams and fraudulent job offers, admission scam, among others.

“The desire for quick wealth, peer pressure, social media influence and economic hardship are some of the factors that could lure young people into internet fraud. Do not fall into peer pressure and if you do after this sensitization from the EFCC, then you must face the law”, he said.

He however cautioned the teenagers against comparing themselves with individuals who display wealth and luxury on social media, stressing that “not everyone displaying wealth is successful, and not everyone successful displays wealth.”

The Chairman further warned that internet fraud has far-reaching consequences, including the destruction of character and reputation, harm to innocent victims, involvement in other criminal activities and the loss of future opportunities.

On the legal consequences of cybercrime, Olukoyede stressed that perpetrators of fraud should not assume that their activities could remain undetected, noting that law enforcement agencies like the EFCC deploys digital forensics, financial intelligence, bank records, device analysis and international cooperation in tracking fraudulent activities.

The teenagers were therefore reminded that involvement in internet fraud could lead to arrest, investigation, prosecution, conviction, imprisonment and forfeiture of proceeds of crime.

The EFCC boss also highlighted the impact of internet fraud on families, noting that the consequences of a young person’s criminal activities extend beyond the individual to parents, siblings and the wider family.

“The family’s reputation may be affected. Many parents spend years building a name that can be damaged by a reckless decision’, he said.

Rather than using technology to defraud others, Olukoyede urged the teenagers to harness it for legitimate purposes by acquiring digital skills such as programming, cybersecurity, digital marketing, graphic design, video editing, content creation, artificial intelligence and data analysis.

Also, he encouraged the teenagers to develop entrepreneurial skills, discover their talents and purpose, choose their friends wisely, seek positive mentors and focus on long-term success rather than instant gratification.

“The internet offers countless legitimate opportunities and these skills can generate income locally and internationally”, he said.

Emphasising the importance of integrity, the EFCC boss urged the teenagers to understand that genuine success requires patience, discipline and hard work.

On her part, Assistant Commander of Narcotics, ACN Ugochukwu Olisaemeka-Iyi from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA sensitised the teenagers on the dangers of substance and drug abuse, with emphasis on the influence of family, culture, peer pressure and others.

She urged them never to experiment with any substance offered to them, warning that “A trial might condemn you”. She encouraged the teenagers to confidently say “no” to drugs and other harmful substances rather than giving a hesitant or shy refusal. She further charged them to remain connected to God, stressing that excellence is possible when young people build their lives on a relationship with God.

The Teenagers Ministry Coordinator, Godknows Ogbonna expressed appreciation to the EFCC and NDLEA for the sensitization.