An Examination Of The Causes And Implication Of Internet Fraud Among University Students In Nigeria

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Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Internet fraud is a sort of cybercrime fraud or deceit that involves the use of the Internet and may entail the concealment of information or the provision of inaccurate information in order to defraud victims of money, property, or inheritance. Internet fraud is not viewed as a unique, independent crime, but rather as a collection of illegal and criminal behaviors carried out in cyberspace (Ofoegbu, 2007). It differs from theft in that the victim freely and intentionally transfers the information, money, or property to the perpetrator. It is also distinguished by the fact that it involves offenders who are separated in time and space. Victims have a lost over a billion naira to this fraud.

The underlying reasons of cybercrime are not implausible. It simply takes a brief glance around society to notice unlawful riches acquisition and display (Okpala, 2012). This is compounded by the fact that the offenders are highly esteemed. The problem is exacerbated by significant teenage unemployment, the lack of enforced prohibitive regulations, and people’ and enterprises’ overall laissez faire attitude toward cyber security (Okeshola and Adeta 2013).

Evidence has also demonstrated that a considerable majority of these crimes are committed by young individuals. It is worth mentioning, however, that some of these assaults are also carried out within organizations. Many internet users are readily enticed by unfamiliar emails and website domains, becoming victims of malware and phishing.

Okeshola and Adeta (2013) listed urbanization, high unemployment, the desire for riches, insufficiently prepared law enforcement authorities, and bad role models as some of the causes of prevalent cybercrime in Nigeria. In their study, Okafor (2011) investigated the links between unemployment, poverty, and insecurity in Nigeria. They discovered that unemployment promotes poverty and that there is a positive association between the latter and insecurity. Other reasons of cybercrime, according to them, are corruption, gullibility/greed, the growth of cyber cafés, and the internet’s vulnerability. However, the main causes of internet fraud among University students are: urbanization, quest for wealth, unemployment, corruption, bad role models, gullibilty, porosity of the internet, poverty etc.

Some of the implications of internet fraud are: poor academic performance, absence from school, increase in the rate of drop-outs etc.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite multiple arrests and convictions for fraud, Nigerian teenagers continue to engage in it in large numbers both at home and abroad. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained four undergraduates and three others on March 19, 2014, for their involvement in an Internet fraud (Ezea, 2017). They were apprehended at two separate places in Ibadan, Oyo State. They were apprehended at the Iyana Adeoyo Branch of a first generation bank in Dugbe, Ibadan, while receiving scam money via Western Union.

Many nigerian families are pleased that their children are attending institutes of higher learning around the country, which is beneficial to them and, eventually, the country.

But few care about the company they keep or the company they retain. And the majority of these few don’t give a damn about how they get by or find out. These days, a big number of Nigerian dropouts, jobless youths, and students studying in the nation, particularly in the south, are emerging as a generation of scammers and Internet fraudsters, known and unknown to their parents (Anyanwu, 2011).

Unfortunately, this has encouraged many more people to join, since those who have’made it’ or ‘struck it’ through deception act as role models in a depressed economy and a culture of shrinking moral latitude, not minding, or rather, realizing the dark future their boom portends. This study will effectively look at what leads to this.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to examine the causes and implication of Internet Fraud among University students in Nigeria. It will also focus on:

To determine the causes of internet fraud among University Students in Nigeria
To examine the effects of internet fraud on the academic performance of university students
To examine the effects of internet fraud on the social life of University students in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide this study.

What are the causes of internet fraud among University Students in Nigeria?
What are the effects of internet fraud on the academic performance of university students?
What are the effects of internet fraud on the social life of University students in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will be of great benefit to the academic sector as the causes and implications of internet fraud among university students will be shown and as such measures and policies can be implemented. It will also be beneficial to parents, caregivers, counsellors as it will help them give appropriate advice and coaching to their wards.

Finally, this study will be beneficial to the scholars as it will serve as an existing material for further studies and research.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study will focus on an examination of the causes and implication of Internet Fraud among University students in Nigeria. It will also focus on the effects of internet fraud on the academic performance and social life of university students.

This study will be using students of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan as enrolled participants for this study.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

This study will be limited to an examination of the causes and implication of Internet Fraud among University students in Nigeria. It will also be limited to the effects of internet fraud on the academic performance and social life of university students. This study will be limited to the University of Ibadan, Ibadan and as such further results should be carried out before the results are used.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Examination:

A detailed inspection or study

Causes:

A person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.

Implications:

The conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated

Internet Fraud:

Is the use of Internet services or software with Internet access to defraud victims or to otherwise take advantage of them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Internet/online fraud?

In a nutshell, Internet/online fraud is any type of fraud scheme that uses one or more components of the Internet to perpetuate a crime (Koong, Liu, & Wei, 2006). Such means may include chat rooms, message boards, or Websites. Three major developments around the globe have enabled businesses to better reach prospective consumers.

What kind of tests are used to assess students for Internet fraud?

A battery of test such as Big-Five Personality Inventory, Need Achievement Questionnaire, and Attitude towards Internet Fraud Questionnaire were administered to the students.

What do you mean by Computer Fraud?

Computer fraud is also commonly referred to as Internet fraud. In a nutshell, Internet/online fraud is any type of fraud scheme that uses one or more components of the Internet to perpetuate a crime (Koong, Liu, & Wei, 2006). Such means may include chat rooms, message boards, or Websites.

How many cases of Internet fraud are there?

It was not until 1997 that documented cases of Internet fraud became available (Internet Fraud Watch, 1997). Since then, both the number of cases and the type of crimes have evolve (Laurent, 1997). In 2002 al one, the Internet Fraud Compliant Center reported that some seventy-five thousand complaints were received (Bennet, 2003).