Inside Nigeria’s Cybercrime Epidemic: A Quest for Mentorship and a New Path
Yahoo Boys, a term used to describe Nigerian internet fraudsters, have become a prevalent issue in the country, particularly among young people. To understand the scale of this problem, we must go beyond mere judgment and uncover the root causes. A 17-year-old from Ikorodu, a suburb in Lagos, shared his own experience and shed light on the underlying factors driving young individuals into cybercrime.
The teenager admits that his decision not to participate in cybercrime was primarily due to a lack of financial means. He states that if he had been introduced to a mentor who could guide him towards a different path, perhaps he would have chosen a more positive direction. His motivation to engage in cybercrime stemmed from the desperation he felt while witnessing his mother struggle to put food on the table.
Today, the situation has intensified. Mothers are taking loans and accumulating massive debts to buy laptops for their sons in the hopes that cybercrime will offer them an escape from generational poverty. Although it may be easy to label these actions as mere greed or theft, it is essential to understand that the circumstances and motivations driving individuals towards cybercrime are complex and deeply rooted in socio-economic challenges.
In Ikorodu alone, approximately 80% of teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 are involved in internet scams, according to the teenager from the aforementioned suburb. The vulnerable years between completing secondary school and entering university are where many young individuals are recruited into networks known as Hustle Kingdoms (HK). These networks provide mentorship and guidance in various fraudulent activities like phishing, wire fraud, and dating scams. A mentor empowers them with a laptop and internet access, perpetuating the cycle of cybercrime.
The HK networks can be found across several cities in Nigeria, including Lagos, Warri, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. Hotels in Ikorodu, for instance, serve as meeting places where these young individuals showcase their ill-gotten wealth and engage in drug use, further reinforcing the allure of a criminal lifestyle. The more desperate ones may even resort to Yahoo Plus, an even darker realm that involves rituals and incestuous relationships.
It is crucial to recognize that cybercrime is not just an issue of greed or poverty, but a result of a lack of mentorship and guidance. Young individuals involved in cybercrime possess a fire in their hearts and a strong will to succeed. This energy can be harnessed in more positive ways. The consequences of allowing internet scam culture to thrive are not only tarnished reputations and global disapproval, but also the loss of future talent and potential.
An initiative called the Smartan House was founded in Ikorodu, seeking to provide an alternative path for young individuals tempted by cybercrime. The project successfully created a parallel culture, akin to the concept of Hustle Kingdoms, but with a focus on building real skills and fostering talent. By creating an enabling environment where these young people can be influenced positively by their peers, the Smartan House aims to redirect their aspirations toward legitimate and productive pursuits.
The number one reason cybercrime continues to proliferate is the absence of deliberate mentorship and guidance. To address this, the Smartan House model takes in 50 young individuals between the ages of 14 and 18, provides them with mentorship for two years, and guides them in developing new skills while offering stipends. The goal is to create a pipeline that transforms failed Yahoo Boys into productive members of society, ultimately bridging the gaps between cybercrime and a life of crime in other forms.
By offering these young individuals opportunities for growth, education, and skill development, programs like the Smartan House hope to reshape their futures. Through initiatives like Chess in Slums Africa, the power of chess is harnessed as an educational tool to uplift the lives of disadvantaged children. It is through grassroots efforts, mentorship, and a focus on nurturing talent that we can hope to steer young individuals away from the allure of cybercrime and towards a brighter and more promising future.
The fight against cybercrime requires the collective effort of society. With mentorship and funding, initiatives like the Smartan House can be scaled up to create a more significant impact. Let us come together to provide guidance, support, and opportunities for these young individuals to thrive, leaving behind a life of cybercrime and embracing the potential of their talents. Together, we can create a new narrative for the African child and build a brighter future for all.
