Yahoo plus phenomenon is the latest trend in our society. Yahoo plus is the advanced form of the popular Yahoo Yahoo which is a form of online fraud which is carried out in cyberspace with the intention of defrauding unsuspecting victims. It is the use of fetish substances and mystical powers by cybercriminals to charm potential victims into their scam?

The unprecedented increase in internet fraud in Nigeria becoming worrisome and a national embarrassment. Many youths in the country are involved in this nefarious act. In the quest to escape unemployment and poverty many youths in both the rural and urban areas of Nigeria have resorted to internet fraud and money rituals

Yahoo Plus and the need for illicit wealth

There is a mad rush for the accumulation of wealth in Nigeria. Almost everyone is involved in the inordinate quest to “hammer” or “blow”. Everyone wants to get rich without the necessary requisite hard work, acumen, skills, and patience. The youths having watched the older generation amass ill-gotten wealth which they ostentatiously display for all to see. The glorification of money is the order of the day. It is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fundamental fabric of society. We have a culture where inexplicable opulence and the worship of money have become the norm rather than an aberration.

Many people in our society celebrate illicit wealth. They rationalize fraud, citing poverty and unemployment in the country as the reasons why people engage in it. The politicians that own several buildings and fleet of cars from the proceed of looting the public treasury brag about their ill-gotten wealth and the society’s honor and celebrate them. Even churches, mosques, and religious leaders also receive monies as tithes, offerings, and donations from people without questioning the source. Celebrities and entertainers are not helping matters: they celebrate ostentatious displays of wealth sing praises of people whose source of wealth cannot be ascertained.

Yahoo Plus as a new quest for wealth by the youth.

In recent times, internet fraud otherwise known as Yahoo Yahoo has become appealing to an army of unemployed youth in the country. They see Yahoo Yahoo Yahoo as the way out of unemployment and poverty as a lucrative pastime. However, the menace of Yahoo plus has become a recurring topic in recent times. Many youths can go to any length to achieve their dream of becoming wealthy overnight.  Some have resorted to ritual killing and the use of human body parts to have sudden riches. The media space is filled with gory episodes of ritual killing for Yahoo Yahoo purposes. In some cases, they have sexual relations with ladies in order “to take their fortune”.

The reason for the upsurge in this vice of Yahoo plus is not far-fetched. First, the agents of socialization like the family, school, and religious institutions have failed in their responsibility in inculcating high moral values to the youths. These days, parents have no time for the proper upbringing of their children. Also, they displayed characters not worthy of emulation. These include cheating and other forms of fraudulent practices. Other factors that can be responsible for this rot in the society include the culture of materialism, poverty, weak enforcement of the criminal laws, the decline in the level of discipline in our society, Nollywood movies, and the influence of social media content amongst others.

This negative narrative in our society can be changed. Firstly, the right family values must be taught.

Parents must instill the right morals in their children and/or wards. These days, parents have no time for their children. They also, display bad character not worthy of emulation like cheating and other forms of fraudulent practices. The other agents of socialization like the media and the religious institutions should do more to stem the tide of Yahoo Yahoo and Yahoo Plus in the society.