An Evaluation of the Causes, Implication and Solution to Internet Fraud Among Nigerian Students

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 Background of the study

The globe has become a global village as a result of technological advancements. The economies of most countries throughout the globe are accessible via electronic via the internet. Because the electronic market is available to everyone (including eavesdroppers and criminals), deception thrives in this environment. However, the internet-enabled information technology revolution has had two distinct effects: on the one hand, it has added good qualities to the world. On the other side, it has resulted in a slew of ailments that threaten society’s order, as well as a new wave of crime throughout the planet. Since of the atrocities performed via it, the internet online business services, which are supposed to be a benefit because they expose one to a lot of chances in numerous fields of life, are quickly becoming a source of pain and anxiety. Internet fraud, according to Shinder (2002), is defined as any criminal conduct performed with the use of the internet or another computer network as a component of the crime. Internet fraud refers to crimes committed against an individual or a group of individuals with the intent of causing international harm to the victim’s reputation or causing physical or mental harm to the victim directly or indirectly through the use of modern telecommunication networks such as the internet and mobile phones. Such crimes may jeopardize the nation’s security and economic well-being (Akogwu, 2012). With a significant increase in internet penetration in Nigeria to about 47.1 percent in 2018, and a youth unemployment rate of about 45 percent in 2017, some Nigerian youths have chosen a negative way of acquiring wealth through various forms of internet fraud, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (Awe,2009). According to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Cyber Security Outlook for 2017, the Nigerian government loses 128 billion naira per year as a result of this threat. Apart from the economic damage that cyber crime does, it has also tarnished the image of Nigerians living abroad. Furthermore, the pace at which the EFCC reports cyber-related offenses has risen to frightening levels. Unemployment, insufficient staff in the area of cyber security in Nigeria, the desire to get wealthy without working hard, and insufficient regulations governing various cyber-related crimes in the nation are some of the alleged reasons of cybercrime. As a result, research on the causes, consequences, and solutions to internet fraud among Nigerian students is necessary.

 Statement of the problem

The internet’s contribution to the nation’s progress has been tainted by the emergence of new forms of criminality (Olugbodi,2010). The internet has also evolved into a haven for the most profitable and safe forms of criminal activity. From Europe to America, Africa to Asia, internet fraud has become a worldwide issue. Internet fraud has come as a shock and is a weird phenomena that has settled in Nigeria for the time being. Every day, we observe more and more terrible examples of online fraud in Nigeria, each one more horrifying than the one before it. Exam malpractices, falsification of admission, rape, robbery and larceny, sexual abuse, violence, and cultism are all common at Nigerian higher institutions. However, in recent years, cyber fraud has emerged as a new kind of criminality in our higher institutions, denting and drilling holes in the nation’s economy (Ehimen,2010).

Objective of the study

The primary objective of the study is as follows

1)        To evaluate  the causes of internet fraud among Nigerian students.

2)        To examine the effect of internet fraud among Nigerian students.

3)        To find out if there is government intervention in curbing internet fraud.

4)        To find out the  solution to internet fraud among Nigerian students.

Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study

1.        What are the causes of internet fraud among Nigerian students?

2.        What are the effect of internet fraud among Nigerian students?

3.        Is there  a government intervention in curbing internet fraud?

4.        What is the  solution to internet fraud among Nigerian students?

Significance of the study

This study will be significant to the Nigerian government as it will help them devise strategies with which it can curb internet fraud among Nigerian students.

This study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

 Scope of the study

This study will evaluate the causes of internet fraud among Nigerian students. The study will also examine the effect of internet fraud among Nigerian students. The study will further find out if there is government intervention in curbing internet fraud. Lastly, the study will find out the  solution to internet fraud among Nigerian students. Hence the study will be delimited to University of Lagos.

 Limitation of the study

This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:

just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data

Financial constraint , was faced by  the researcher ,in getting relevant materials  and  in printing and collation of questionnaires

Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher

 Definition of terms

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