Nigerian financial commentator Gehgeh has warned former internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, to abandon cybercrime and acquire legitimate skills as the money they once made through illegal activities becomes harder to sustain.
Gehgeh, who referred to the former fraudsters as “Oldtakers”, said some young men who previously enjoyed financial success through internet fraud were now struggling after losing their sources of income.
In a video shared on social media, the financial commentator claimed that some of the affected individuals had built houses, purchased expensive cars and started families during their years of making money from online fraud.
However, he said their fortunes had since declined, leaving some unable to maintain the lifestyles they had created.
His warning was particularly directed at young men between the ages of 19 and 30, whom he encouraged to learn legitimate skills and rebuild their lives before financial difficulties become overwhelming.
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1. Gehgeh Says Yahoo Money Is No Longer Reliable
Gehgeh argued that former internet fraudsters should stop depending on money earned through cybercrime because the lifestyle is no longer sustainable for some of them.
According to him, individuals who once made significant amounts of money through internet fraud are now discovering that their previous sources of income cannot guarantee long-term financial security.
He urged them to recognise the situation and consider alternative ways of earning money rather than waiting for their fortunes to return.
2. Former Fraudsters Are Struggling to Maintain Their Lifestyle
The commentator explained that some former fraudsters had made major financial commitments when money was coming in regularly.
He said some had built houses, bought expensive vehicles and established families based on the income they generated from illegal activities.
However, when the money stopped coming, maintaining those commitments reportedly became difficult.
Gehgeh suggested that the pressure to sustain an expensive lifestyle could make it harder for affected individuals to accept their new financial reality.
3. He Claims Some Young Men Have Suffered Mental Breakdown
One of the most concerning parts of Gehgeh’s warning was his claim about the emotional and psychological difficulties experienced by some former fraudsters.
He alleged that three or four young men he personally knew in his community had suffered mental breakdowns after losing the money they previously made.
Although his account has not been independently verified, the claim highlights the financial and personal pressures that can follow a sudden loss of income.
His message was that young people should not allow their identity and self-worth to depend entirely on money or an expensive lifestyle.
4. Gehgeh Advises Young Men Between 19 and 30 to Start Again
Gehgeh specifically urged young men aged between 19 and 30 to consider rebuilding their lives through legitimate work.
He encouraged them to learn practical skills that could provide sustainable income instead of continuing to depend on internet fraud.
His advice reflects the importance of developing abilities that can create opportunities in areas such as technology, digital marketing, business management, creative services and other legitimate industries.
Rather than seeing the decision to start again as failure, he urged them to treat it as an opportunity to build a more stable future.
5. His Message Highlights the Risks of Depending on Illegal Income
Gehgeh’s comments have drawn attention to a wider issue surrounding internet fraud and the pressure to maintain a lifestyle built on unstable or illegal earnings.
Beyond the possibility of arrest and prosecution, cybercrime can leave individuals facing financial uncertainty when their activities stop generating money.
For young people who have become accustomed to expensive purchases and public displays of wealth, adjusting to a different financial situation may also be challenging.
Gehgeh’s central message was that acquiring legitimate skills and developing sustainable sources of income are better long-term options than continuing to chase quick money.
Conclusion
Gehgeh’s warning to former Yahoo boys is a call for young Nigerians to reconsider the consequences of building their lives around internet fraud.
While his claims about individuals experiencing mental breakdowns remain personal accounts, his advice to acquire legitimate skills highlights the importance of financial independence and long-term planning.
His message to the so-called Oldtakers is straightforward: when illegal money stops coming, learning a legitimate skill may offer a way to start again.
