VIDEO: How 17-Year-Old Boy Hacked EFCC Chairman’s BVN And Bank Account Details—The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has shared his startling encounter with a 17-year-old hacker.
In a discussion with editors at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, last Tuesday, Olukoyede narrated how the boy hacked his personal computer and bank account while under interrogation at his Lagos office.
The EFCC chairman recounted how he had invited the 17-year-old, a History and Anthropology student in his second year, for questioning at his office.
To his amazement, the young hacker effortlessly breached the security of his locked computer and accessed sensitive information, including his bank verification number (BVN) and account details.
He said, “I brought into my Lagos office a seventeen-year-old boy who is studying History and Anthropology. He is in the 200 level. He is not doing anything science-related. The guy sat in my office in Lagos and demonstrated some things to me on my laptop.
“He asked for my number, I gave him my number and through my number, he got my BVN. He then mentioned the name of my account number to me at the bank. I didn’t tell him anything.”
Expressing concern over the prevalence of such cybercrimes among youths, Olukoyede stressed the need for preventive measures to deter their engagement in illegal activities, emphasizing the potential consequences, including imprisonment or worse.
“The problem is, I see crime in that, and I also see opportunities in it. So, if you leave these guys, we don’t make them know that what they are doing is wrong, if you leave them, they will continue to see it as a way of life to make money,” he said.
Acknowledging the delicate balance between punishment and rehabilitation, Olukoyede advocated for lenient sentences aimed at reorienting young offenders.
He cited the EFCC’s approach of providing educational and vocational opportunities to steer them away from criminal behavior.
“We plead for light sentences so that we can reorientate them and that’s part of what we’re doing. What joy will I derive from sending a 17-year-old boy to jail? You have destroyed his future. You have destroyed his career.
“Sometimes they give them options of fines and all of that conviction, so we bring them in, lecture them and talk to them.”
He said the 17-year-old boy, when he was done, said, “Look, oga, I can make 10 million now. I will demonstrate it to you. I will move money from your account to mine.
“I said no, don’t do that in my office and he was ready to do that. When he opened my laptop, I didn’t give him the key to my laptop and he had access.”
When questioned about his involvement in cybercrime, the boy explained that his parents, who are both farmers, were unable to work on their farm due to security concerns.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Olukoyede saw potential in the young hacker, recognizing his responsibilities as the primary provider for his family.
“He has two younger ones. One is in JSS2 and the other is in SSS2. He is the one feeding his parents and responsible for the payment of tuition for his younger ones. I saw a Bill Gates in that guy.”
Moved by compassion, he pledged support for the teenager’s education, hoping to redirect his future away from crime.
Olukoyede offered to sponsor the boy’s schooling and sought assistance from others to support his siblings’ education, demonstrating a commitment to breaking the cycle of criminality through empowerment and education.
The EFCC chairman said, “I told my family, we are going to do that.
“I spoke to one of my friends who is also ready to help take up the schooling of the SSS 2 guy. So I’m still looking for someone who will take up the one for the JSS 2 sibling.”
Watch the video below:
EFCC Chairman talks about his encounter with a 17-year-old yahoo boy who left him stunned with his IT skills.
Watch 👇🏾
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) May 2, 2024
