The Nigerian EFCC has Created a New Cybercrime Rapid Response Service to More Rapidly Respond to Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime Cases and Complaints

According to a Press Release by the EFCC:

Determined to break the criminal networks and damage associated with internet fraud across the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 unveiled a 24- hour Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk.

The unveiling, which was done at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria , is meant to bring up digital and accelerated information transmission on internet fraud from the public and un-impeded response from the Commission. It is provided with both local and international telephone numbers through which the EFCC can be reached on a 24-hour basis on matters relating to cybercrime in Nigeria and across the globe. The unveiling was part of the highlights marking the National Cybercrime Summit organized by the EFCC with support of the Rule of Law and Anti- Corruption, RoLAC, Programme, European Union and International IDEA.

The Summit was themed: “Alternatives to Cybercrime: Optimizing Cyber Skills for National Development.” Highlights of the programmed include panel discussions on alternative frameworks to insulate youths from cybercrimes, presentation of award to winners of EFCC 2024 Essay Competition organized for students in secondary and tertiary schools in the country, with cash prizes ranging from N350, 000 to N800,000 and a documentary on the activities of the EFCC in the last one year of Mr. Ola Olukoyede’s resourceful leadership.

The documentary, featuring the period between October 2023 and September, 2024 showed that the EFCC

• secured 3455 convictions and made monetary recoveries of N 248,750,049,365.52 (Two Hundred and Forty-Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million, Forty-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira, Fifty-Two Kobo);
• $105,423,190.39 (One Hundred and Five Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Dollars, Thirty-Nine Cents);
• £53,133.64 (Fifty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty-Three Pound Sterling, Sixty-Four Pence;€172,547.10 (One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Euros, Ten Cents);
• T1,300.00 (One Thousand, Three Hundred Indian Rupees);
• CAD $ 3,400.00 (Three Thousand, Four Hundred Canadian Dollars);
• ¥74,859:00 (Seventy-Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Chinese Yuan);
• AUS $ 740:00 (Seven Hundred and Forty Australian Dollars);
• 170:00 UAE DIRHAM (One Hundred and Seventy United Arab Emirates Dirham);
• 73,000:00 KOREAN WON (Seventy-Three Thousand Korean Won);
• CFA 7,821,375:00 (Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five West African CFA) to R 50:00 (Fifty South Africa Rands).

Speaking in a keynote address following the unveiling, Mrs Tinubu noted that the theme of the summit resonated deeply with the current challenges cybercrime posed not only in Nigeria but across the globe. According to her, “Cybercrime is not a crime against individuals and businesses. It is an assault on our collective integrity, economic stability and the future of our youth”. She praised the EFCC for devotedly seeking solution to the lingering menace.

She stated that Nigeria was confronted with the reality of the dangers and new vulnerabilities the digital age are posing to humanity. “It is therefore crucial that we address these challenges head on and explore not only the harmful consequences of cybercrimes but also the sustainable alternatives that can redirect our youths towards productive and positive endeavours. With young people accounting for more than 60 per cent of our population, the involvement of youths in cybercrime is a threat to the nation’s quest for economic stability,” she said

Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede observed that “the menace of cybercrimes, like most economic and financial crimes, is a burning challenge that we cannot deny, ignore or wish away.” The national discourse on cybercrime, the EFCC boss said, was necessitated by “the overarching need for us to articulate opinions and build greater strength against the scourge of cybercrimes. This time around, we are not only interrogating the problem, we are aggregating workable solutions to it.”

Further in his speech, he observed that “The enormity of challenges posed to us as individuals and nation by cybercrimes are grievous. As individuals, youths’ involvement in these crimes is distorting and corrupting acceptable family values. The tendency towards quick riches no longer positions our young people for enterprise, resourceful intellectual aspirations and technological innovations.”

In financial terms, Olukoyede stated that 2,328 (Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-eight) cases of cybercrime occur daily globally with a global loss projected to hit $10.5 trillion by 2025.

“Projections by multiple sources show that the global loss to cybercrimes may reach a staggering $10.5 trillion by 2025, with approximately 2,328 (Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-eight) cases occurring daily. The implication of all these is that, if left unchecked, cybercrimes portend grave dangers to the entire world. These are the realities stoking the Commission’s fight against these crimes.”

Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande while commending the EFCC in its fight against cybercrime stated that “The Commission has done so well in planning and engaging the youths in every state that will give them the platform to do so. As youths, as a body, we are promising the EFCC that we will do everything in our power, everything we can do to make sure that Nigerian youths are with the EFCC and that we are ready to work with it. We will make sure that we will go to every nook and cranny of the 774 local government areas to spread the anti-cybercrime message”, he said.

The Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq commended the EFCC for organizing the summit and pledged his support to the Commission in its efforts to redeem the youth from the path of cyber criminalities. “You have our support in this regards. We commend you on their efforts in putting this gathering together. I am sure that after this summit, we will all leave here better informed on our perception of cybercrime.”

A lot more goodwill messages came from His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad SAAd Abubakar 111, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (The Ojaja 11), Ooni of Ife, Danladi Plang, Head of Programme, IDEA, among others.

SCARS Institute Analysis of this EFCC Initiative

The creation of the Nigerian EFCC’s Cybercrime Rapid Response Service reflects a new and much welcome strategic approach to intensifying the country’s fight against cybercrime, scams and fraud. This service aims to bolster public confidence in the EFCC’s capacity to address cybercrime by providing an accessible, 24-hour response channel. Below are key implications and potential actions or services stemming from this initiative:

Public Accessibility and Reporting Channels:

• • With a 24-hour hotline, the EFCC is positioning itself as an immediate, responsive authority for cybercrime victims. This could enhance public trust in reporting scams and cybercrimes, knowing that timely assistance is available.
  • Service Implication: The success of this initiative may require robust training of EFCC operators to handle inquiries, collect evidence, and provide guidance on next steps for victims in real time, particularly regarding international scams which may require cross-border collaboration.

International Reach and Collaboration:

• • The service provides international phone lines, hinting at the EFCC’s intent to connect with global enforcement agencies, as cybercrime often spans multiple jurisdictions.
  • Service Implication: The EFCC may need to establish formal partnerships with international cybercrime units to coordinate investigations and pursue extraditions. This could be particularly useful for Nigeria, where many scams originate or are traced back to networks involving individuals in multiple countries.

Youth-Focused Cybercrime Prevention:

• • With 60% of the Nigerian population under 25, the EFCC’s summit emphasized redirecting youths away from cybercrime through educational and skill-building initiatives. The thematic focus, “Optimizing Cyber Skills for National Development,” suggests an emphasis on digital literacy as a preventive measure.
  • Action: Programs that provide technical training, scholarships, and job placement in IT and cybersecurity fields for Nigerian youth could effectively reduce cybercrime involvement by providing constructive alternatives.

Educational Campaigns and Community Outreach:

• • The commitment by Nigerian governors and traditional leaders signals a coordinated approach to address cybercrime at both governmental and community levels.
  • Service Implication: The EFCC can develop localized campaigns, especially in rural and underserved areas, to raise awareness about cybercrime’s societal impact. Training community leaders to identify cybercrime risks and act as points of contact could help prevent vulnerable individuals from falling victim.

Data-Driven Targeting of Cybercrime:

1. • The EFCC’s reported 3,455 convictions and extensive asset recovery within one year indicate a data-backed approach. By closely tracking the types and locations of cybercrime incidents, the EFCC could effectively prioritize resources for high-risk regions or demographics.
   • Action: Continuation of data analysis can help the EFCC refine its response strategies, for instance, by pinpointing hotspots or emerging trends in cybercrime tactics. This may also necessitate updated training for EFCC personnel on advanced cyber threats.

2. Cultural Shift Against Cybercrime:

   • Statements from leaders underscoring cybercrime as a national economic threat reinforce a cultural shift towards viewing cybercrime as a societal harm rather than a victimless offense. Emphasizing the damage cybercrime does to Nigeria’s economic and social integrity can help shift public perception and reduce community tolerance.
   • Action: Public messaging that conveys the real economic and familial costs of cybercrime, along with promoting the ethical use of technology, could support this cultural shift.

The EFCC’s Cybercrime Rapid Response Service represents a promising step in combating cybercrime through enhanced accessibility, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. These measures, combined with a strong focus on youth empowerment and data-driven enforcement, have the potential to not only reduce cybercrime rates but also to cultivate a broader societal shift against cyber-related offenses.

SCARS Institute Statement

The SCARS Institute applauds the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on an exceptional initiative to address new approaches in addressing cybercrime, scams, and fraud in Nigeria. We look forward to seeing this new program succeed and to substantial reductions in these crimes originating from Nigeria, as well as becoming a barrier to foreign organized crime entering the country to operate from Nigeria.

The SCARS Institute is pleased to be consulting with the EFCC and looks for to helping them directly to improve capacity robustness, new crime victims advocacy, and finding solutions to reduce recidivism.