The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has urged students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria to steer clear of all forms of internet fraud in order to accelerate the development of the country.

Bawa gave the admonition at the inauguration of Zero Tolerance Club at Baze University in Abuja on Wednesday, April 5.

The EFCC chairman, who was represented by the Secretary of the anti-graft agency, Dr. George Ekpungu, said the penalties for internet crimes are stiff.

He, however, enjoined the students to avoid all temptation that may lead them to join the trend.

“Every variant of internet fraud, such as romance scam, business email compromise, hacking, impersonation, forex scam, and others are corrupt practices and must not be found among you.

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“As undergraduates, you are expected to channel your creative energies into useful engagements and not into dishonest and dubious means of cheating others of their resources,” Bawa said.

Also speaking at the event, the Director, Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Osita Nwajah, stressed the importance of joining the club and the essence of the Operational Manual for Integrity and Zero Tolerance Clubs which were presented to the university as a guide for the club’s activities.

On her part, the Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, Aisha Mohammed, said the essence of launching the club was to inculcate virtues of integrity, honesty, discipline, tolerance, and patriotism in the students.

Speaking, the Registrar of Baze University, Mani Mohammed, enjoined the students to avoid crimes and criminality at all costs.

“There is nothing more important than integrity. Integrity may not give you money today, but it is going to put you on the path of success.

“Money always comes; it may not come in your early life, but if you work hard with integrity and you are steadfast, you will succeed. You will make money than you ever believe in your life, and you will be able to afford all the things you want in your life and be able to walk straight with your head high up as an important and respected member of society,” Mohammed stated.

The Star