AN EXAMINATION OF THE CAUSES AND IMPLICATION OF INTERNET FRAUD AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Internet fraud is a type of cybercrime fraud or deception that involves the use of the Internet and may involve the concealment or provision of inaccurate information in order to defraud victims of money, property, or inheritance. Internet fraud is not viewed as a distinct crime in and of itself, but rather as a collection of illegal and criminal activities carried out in cyberspace (Ofoegbu, 2007). It is distinct from theft in that the victim freely and willingly transfers information, money, or property to the perpetrator. It is also distinguished by the fact that it involves offenders who are geographically and temporally separated. Victims have lost over a billion naira as a result of this fraud.
The motivations for cybercrime are not implausible. Simply put,
takes a quick look around society to notice illegal wealth acquisition and display (Okpala, 2012). This is exacerbated by the fact that the perpetrators are highly regarded. The problem is exacerbated by high teenage unemployment, a lack of enforced prohibitive regulations, and a general laissez faire attitude toward cyber security among individuals and businesses (Okeshola and Adeta 2013).
Evidence has also shown that the vast majority of these crimes are committed by young people. However, it is worth noting that some of these assaults are also carried out within organizations. Many internet users are easily swayed by unfamiliar emails and website domains, and as a result, they become victims of malware and phishing.
Okeshola and Adeta (2013) cited urbanization, high unemployment, a desire for wealth, inadequately prepared law enforcement authorities, and bad governance.
Some of the causes of prevalent cybercrime in Nigeria include role models. Okafor (2011) investigated the links between unemployment, poverty, and insecurity in Nigeria in their study. They discovered that unemployment promotes poverty and that the latter has a positive relationship with insecurity. According to them, other causes of cybercrime include corruption, gullibility/greed, the growth of cyber cafés, and the internet’s vulnerability. However, the following are the primary causes of internet fraud among university students: urbanization, the pursuit of wealth, unemployment, corruption, bad role models, gullibility, internet porosity, poverty, and so on.
Some of the consequences of internet fraud include poor academic performance, absence from school, an increase in the rate of dropouts, and so on.
1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT
Despite multiple fraud arrests and convictions, Nigerian
Teenagers continue to participate in large numbers, both domestically and internationally. On March 19, 2014, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested four undergraduates and three others for their involvement in an Internet fraud (Ezea, 2017). They were apprehended in two locations in Ibadan, Oyo State. They were apprehended while receiving scam money via Western Union at the Iyana Adeoyo Branch of a first generation bank in Dugbe, Ibadan.
Many Nigerian families are pleased that their children are attending institutes of higher learning across the country, which benefits them and, in the long run, the country.
However, few are concerned with the company they keep or the company they retain. And the vast majority of these few don’t give a damn about how they look.
They either get by or find out. A large number of Nigerian dropouts, unemployed youths, and students studying in the country, 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, because those who’made it’ or’struck it’ through deception serve 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 research will look into what causes this.
1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of this study is to investigate the causes and consequences of Internet Fraud among Nigerian university students.
. It will also concentrate on:
i. To ascertain the causes of internet fraud among Nigerian university students.
ii. To investigate the effects of internet fraud on university students’ academic performance.
iii. To investigate the effects of internet fraud on the social lives of Nigerian university students.
1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH
This study will be guided by the research questions listed below.
i. What are the causes of internet fraud among Nigerian university students?
ii. What are the effects of internet fraud on university students’ academic performance?
iii. How does internet fraud affect the social lives of Nigerian university students?
1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE
This research will be extremely beneficial to the academic community because the causes
and implications of internet fraud among university students will be demonstrated, allowing for the implementation of appropriate measures and policies. It will also help parents, caregivers, and counselors provide appropriate advice and coaching to their children.
Finally, scholars will benefit from this study because it will provide existing material for future studies and research.
1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES
This research will look into the causes and consequences of Internet fraud among Nigerian university students. It will also look at the effects of internet fraud on university students’ academic performance and social lives.
Students from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, will be recruited for this study.
This research.
1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS
This research will focus on the causes and consequences of Internet fraud among Nigerian university students. It will also be limited to the effects of internet fraud on university students’ academic performance and social lives. This study will be limited to the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, and as such, additional results should be obtained before using the findings.
1.8 TERM DEFINITION
examination: a thorough examination or study
Causes: a person or thing that causes an action, phenomenon, or condition to occur.
Implications are the conclusions that can be drawn from something despite the fact that they are not explicitly stated.
Internet fraud is the fraudulent use of Internet services or software. access to defraud victims or to otherwise take advantage of them.
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