VICE-President Namadi Sambo Tuesday said Nigeria is not a country of fraudsters.
(http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/thumbnail.php?file=Sambo_d_VP_587394747.jpg&size=article_medium)
Vice-President Sambo
Also, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Mrs. Farida Waziri lamented that Nigeria is perceived wrongly as the home of advance fee fraud.
Sambo, who spoke at the First West Africa Cyber Crime Summit, organised by the EFCC, Microsoft, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and UNODC in Abuja, said it was unfortunate that the country has always been labelled as a nation of 419 even when such crimes are generated from abroad.
He said: "In Nigeria, unfortunately, we are at this receiving end of this double-edged sword: Nigeria stands accused, tried and convicted of being source of emails soliciting for funds colloquially known as Nigerian 419 emails.
"However this reputation must be challenged at several levels. Do we currently have the bandwidth, regularity of power and so on to realistically generate such volumes of cyber-malfeasance for us to earn such high ranking of being the third internet crime perpetrator after the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK)?
"So-called Nigerian 419 is now unfortunately a global terminology for a type of cyber-crime even when it is generated, executed and delivered outside Nigeria's jurisdiction!
"Does perception matter? Yes, it does as for most people perception is reality!
"There are many more dangerous cyber crimes that must also be acknowledged and addressed as Nigerians are victims as well: our computers get infected by viruses, parents and children can be exposed to offensive content, and businesses are exposed to frauds that reduce the confidence of buyers."
He was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri.
"We must all in this hall today and far beyond do something to be part of the solution. Cyber security starts with each and every one of us."
Waziri said: "Nigeria is perceived wrongly as I will soon confirm to you with facts and figures to be the home of advance fee fraud.
"Nigeria is generally perceived to be the home, if not of cybercrime, then of advance fee fraud. At some time, the crime was generally referred to as "Nigerian Fraud". This is, however, far from the truth.
"What should be frightening for us is that only about 20% of the West African population has access to internet connectivity and it may well mean that if we have the level of connectivity of Europe and North America , we will perpetually remain in top 10.
"The challenge for West Africa is how to put in place remedial measures that will ensure that with connectivity, crime does not necessarily follow suit."
Sambo, Waziri protest rating of Nigeria as 419 nation (http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/20463.html)