During the week, Nigeria senate member passed a bill which stated that anybody caught with cyber scamming (Yahoo Yahoo Boys) will go to jail for 7 years or pay N7million, or both.
However the bill is still on second hearing in the flow of the senate-house and it’s awaiting enactment so it becomes a law. The cyber scamming bill that senate passed on the flow of the senate-house included the following activities computer-related fraud, computer-related forgery, offences relating to pornography, cyber-stalking and cyber-squatting.
Once the bill is passed into law and you’re caught committing cyber crimes, you’re going to jail.
Once it’s passed into law, it will become an offense for anyone to commit fraud using a computer system or network with the intention of obtaining computer data, securing access to any programme, commercial or industrial secrets or classified information.
It will also be an offense to be in possession of a manipulative device, unauthorized Automated Teller Machine, ATM card, damaging a computer with the intention to defraud, trafficking in any password to defraud customers or financial institutions.
If you’re convicted, it’s 7 years in prison or a fine of N7 million or both.
If you’re convicted for committing any offenses relating to violation of critical national information infrastructure, then its 10 years without the option of fine.
15-year-jail term for anyone who commits this crime and it results in the harm of another individual.
Life imprisonment for anyone who commits this crime and it leads to the death of another person. And finally, if you own a cyber cafe and you allow the fraud to happen in your space, then it’s 3-year jail term or N2 million fine.
For now the bill is waiting for president approval.