Gehgeh Advises Former Internet Fraudsters to Abandon ‘Yahoo’ Lifestyle, Learn New Skills

Nigerian financial commentator Gehgeh has advised former internet fraudsters whose illegal activities are no longer generating income to abandon the lifestyle and acquire legitimate skills to rebuild their lives.

Gehgeh, who referred to the former fraudsters as “Oldtakers”, said some young men who previously made money through internet fraud had used their earnings to build houses, purchase cars and start families but were now struggling financially after their fortunes declined.

In a video, the commentator claimed that three or four young men he personally knew in his community had suffered mental breakdowns after losing the money they once made from internet fraud.

He attributed their difficulties partly to the pressure of maintaining lifestyles they could no longer afford, urging young men between the ages of 19 and 30 to accept their circumstances and consider starting afresh.

“If you be boy, you don do yahoo before, you use am build house and buy car but now you no get money again, this go help you start your life afresh,” he said.

Gehgeh also warned that some former internet fraudsters had become so dependent on the proceeds of cybercrime that they neglected other talents and failed to develop legitimate sources of income.

He cautioned that financial pressure could push some into drug use as they struggle to cope with the loss of their former lifestyle.

Rather than resorting to harmful coping mechanisms, he encouraged them to learn new skills and recognise that losing their previous source of income does not mean their lives are over.

“Instead of all this, learn another skill. You never fail for life,” he advised.