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What Are The Causes of Cybercrime Among Students in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
What Are The Causes of Cybercrime Among Students in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
LITERATURE REVIEW
The review of literature will be divided into four parts as follows: the conceptual frame work,
the review of empirical review, theoretical framework, and summary of literature review.
Globalization has led to rapid development all over the world; it has reduced stress and made
activities a lot easier. Despite the advantages brought by globalization, it also paved way for
negativity. Internet use is one of the inventions introduced by globalization. The sole purpose
is to bring the world together and to make gathering of information very easy and fast. The
Internet has created unlimited access for both legitimate and illegitimate transactions. Some
group of people harness the positive use of the internet and use it for deceit. This gave birth
perpetrators, victims, and motives vary greatly in cyber-criminal activities. Dashora (2011),
noted that cybercrime has become a challenge in the cyber world. In the same vein,
McCusker (2006) believes cybercrime has become almost an everyday lifestyle; victims
accept their fate after being dwindled by the perpetrator. The perpetrators of cybercrime are
so crafty to the extent that it is difficult to trace them and this is because fake identities are
major and core tools for fraudulent activities. However, this is the reason why citizens
especially in developing countries resign after being duped. Dalal (2006) observes that
information technology is two-sided; it can destroy a strongly built system and in the same
producing psychological and geopolitical concerns perpetuated with the usage of computer
and internet (Suleiman, 2016). Cybercrime is not limited to a country neither is it restricted
and developing countries. Tanebaum (2001) acknowledges the fact that the function of
computer is the same around the globe; the only difference is the brand and model. Computer
technology has been in existence for a very long time. According to McLaughlin (1978),
dating back to the 60s till present day cybercrime is gradually updating as technology
develops. In 1960, cybercrime focused on physical destruction to computer system parts and
stored data. In the mid-1960s, the United States criminal abuse focused on databases and the
related risks to privacy. In 1970s, traditional ways of committing crimes such as manual
stealing was in place. The computer came into place and modernized ways of stealing. In
1980s, the number of computer systems has increased, hence creating more potential targets
for cybercriminals. Yee, (2000) explains that internet access enables cybercriminals
perpetrate crimes through the computer without being present at the crime scene.
In the 1990s, a graphical interface 1World Wide Web (WWW) was introduced, this led to a
tremendous growth in the number of internet users, and this invention also welcomed new
challenges in the cyber world. It means more advanced functions, more perpetrators and more
victims. Another challenge associated with internet access is the investigation of cybercrimes.
Information exchange has greatly affected investigation process, this is because most of the
cybercriminals communicate with themselves, and this helps them keep clear tracks to avoid
being caught. In each preceding decade, there is always a new twist in cybercrime. The
perpetrators always find new means after which their previous scheme has been blown open.
In the 21st century, offenders can automate attacks with new schemes and train up interested
persons which have led to the increase of cybercriminals around the world. Countries around
the world including international organizations have responded greatly to the growing
challenges caused by cybercrime and have given it utmost priority. This action can be subject
to both civil and criminal action depending on the target (Salifu, 2008).
Wall (2007: 45), in his research; Cybercrime: The Transformation of Crime in The
Information Age, opined that the “first generation of cybercrimes consists of traditional
crimes where (stand‐alone) computers are merely a tool; these are ‘low end’ cybercrimes.
The second generation, from the 1970s onwards, consists of crimes facilitated by local or
global computer networks; these are still largely traditional crimes, but they give rise to new
globalized opportunities and jurisdictional problems. The third generation are true crimes
cybercrime.”
The term cybercrime is interpreted differently if examined from the perspective of the Model
Penal Code. In Africa, cybercrime has been almost widely accepted. In Nigeria, cybercrime is
also known as “2yahoo-yahoo” and the advanced version is “3yahoo plus”. Those involved in
yahoo-yahoo are called “4yahoo boys” (Adeniran 2008). In Ghana, cybercrime is called
“sakawa” and the perpetrators are called “sakawa boys” (See, Oumarou 2007; Boateng et al.,
2011). Chawki, (2009), believes in Africa, internet use is very high in South Africa but
The US-based Internet Crime Complaints Centre (IC3) operated by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (2016) reported that in 2016, internet auction fraud was the most reported
offence case, it comprised of: “44.9 percent of crime complaints, cheque fraud recorded 4.9
percent, credit/debit card fraud 4.8 per cent, computer fraud consists of 2.8 percent, financial
institutions fraud 1.6 per cent, identify theft 1.6 per cent, investment fraud 1.3 per cent and
child pornography 1.0 per cent. From the statistics, it shows that a lot of people suffer lot of
loss from cybercrime.” The 2020 Internet Crime Report from the Internet Crime Complaint
Centre (IC3) reported that identity theft became the third highest complaint at 9.8% in 2010.
From the Internet Crime Report in 2008, it was recorded that Nigeria occupy third position in
fraudulent cyber activities with 5.9% and Ghana, sits among the top ten in fraudulent cyber
Crime has become an integral element of every society in the world, and as much as we try to
totally remove crime from our everyday life, it seems almost impossible (Cyber Crime
General, 2007). Advance fee Fraud, is a form of cybercrime that has emerged across the
world and it is believed to have originated from West Africa, particularly in Nigeria
(Grabosky and Smith, 2001). It is a type of Internet fraud that is used to defraud unsuspecting
victims, they convince them to willingly succumb to their request after several tempting
offers to make quick money (Smith and Grabosky 2001; Cukier et al., 2007).
Nigerian youths, especially undergraduates and the unemployed have embraced Information
and many more gadgets that have internet access as a medium to carry out some of these
illicit activities. This gave rise to the emergence of yahoo-yahoo among the Nigerian youths,
particularly in the cities. Development of the Internet has granted unlimited access for
cybercriminals to contact potential victims (Newman and Clarke 2013). The innovations in
technology have opened possibilities for creativity and development and deviant career
Adeniran (2006) observed that the Internet has introduced certain alterations in the behavioral
patterns of Nigerian youths. In the same vein Achebe (1984), in his write up said Nigeria is
one of the most corrupt countries in the world due to political instability and negligence on
the part of the leaders. Mabogunje (1998) said the Nigerian youths are prepared to contribute
to the development of the nation but the governments do not give them appropriate
opportunities. Adeniyi (1999) affirms that youths are the foundation for the growth and
sustenance of the nation; they are the major key agents to effect social change, economic
development and technological innovations. The resultant effects of the gaps mentioned
above is that when a system in the society does not play its role effectively, the other system
suffers for it. The negligence of the government to provide social and welfare support for the
2 Cybercrime in Nigeria
Cybercrime has been on the agenda of the Nigerian Government for many years.
by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). Though the Evidence Act was
amended in 2011 to cater for the admissibility of electronic evidence, the absence of a legal
February 2015, the Government adopted the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy
communication technology are threats to Nigeria national security touching the “economic,
political and social fabric of Nigeria.” The most significant threats identified are cybercrime,
cyber-espionage, cyber conflict, cyber-terrorism and child online abuse & exploitation.
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 was enacted and entered into force
on 15th May 2015. The purpose of the Act is also to promote cybersecurity and cybercrime
prevention, and it provides for obligations to the private sector – including ISPs,
telecommunication operators and financial institutions – to report and cooperate with law
enforcement authorities and the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ng-CERT).
It provides for the National Security Adviser to coordinate LEAs and the Attorney General to
oversee and strengthen the legal and institutional framework whilst establishing a Cybercrime
Response Team was established in the Office of the National Security Adviser. Its mission is
“To manage the risks of cyber threats in the Nigeria’s cyberspace and effectively coordinate
l to provide technical support and expertise to sectorial CSIRT’s as and when required
l to serve as international Point of contact for all Internet Security Incident in Nigeria.
In March 2016 – in line with Articles 42 and 43 Cybercrimes Act – the Cybercrime Advisory
agencies under the overall coordination of the National Security Adviser. Functions include:
signed by the President. Following the presidential elections though, the proposal had to go
back to the approval of the Parliament and it is currently being revisited to restart the
legislative process.
committed in cyberspace, such as various forms of identity theft and bank fraud, or
acts that have a physical component and are simply facilitated by the use of internet-
based tools”. Such acts commonly include distribution of fraudulent e-mails, and
He further notes that cybercrimes are illegal activities perpetrated by one or more
people using the cyberspace through the medium of networked computers, telephones
and other information and communication technology equipment. There is hardly any
crime committed in the world today that does not have cybercrimes undertone,
According to Oketola (2009:49) some young people use the web for information on
current issues in health, education, politics, researches, sports, and for personal
in cybercrimes largely depends on their low level of moral standards, peer pressure,
lack of jobs.
make use of a computer as a tool and the internet as a connection in order to reach a variety
of objectives such as illegal downloading of music files and films, piracy, spam mailing and
the likes. Similarly, Okeshola (2013) opined that the term cybercrime can be used to describe
any criminal activity which involves the use of computer or the internet network, including
such crimes as fraud, theft, blackmail, forgery, and embezzlement. These two definitions are
very narrow in the sense that it does not give a holistic view about what cybercrime is all
1) Traditional forms of crime such as fraud or forgery, though committed over electronic
2) The publication of illegal content over electronic media (e.g. child sexual abuse material
or incitement to racial hatred); 3) crimes unique to electronic networks, e.g. attacks against
Furthermore, the Home Office and the SOCA-led Cyber Threat Reduction Board (TRB) as
including:
i. Pure online crimes, where a digital system is the target as well as the means of attack.
These include attacks on computer systems to disrupt IT infrastructure, and stealing data over
a network using malware (the purpose of the data theft is usually to enable further crime);
ii. Existing crimes that have been transformed in scale or form by use of the internet.
The growth of the internet has allowed these crimes to be carried out on an industrial scale;
and
iii. Use of the internet to facilitate drug dealing, people smuggling and many other
could be associated with crimes using internet facilities. Based on the above
conceptualizations, cybercrimes in this study is defined as any criminal act relating to the use
of electronic means with the sole aim of gaining financial or other personal benefit at the
cybercrime especially by undergraduate students. Shoemaker (2020) found that the question
of causation is foremost in various research findings throughout history. The review suggests
that there is a striking relationship between one’s exposure to his or her environment and
cybercrime. These factors include but are not limited to the following:
easy access to technology. With the widespread availability of computers and the internet,
students have the means to commit cybercrimes without being detected. This is supported by
a study conducted by Holt and Bossler (2015), which found that students who had easy
access to technology were more likely to engage in cybercrime. Additionally, the anonymity
and accessibility of the internet make it easier for students to engage in illegal activities
Poverty is often cited as a major cause of cyber crime among students. It is a fact that many
students are unable to afford the high cost of education and as a result,
Financial gain is a significant factor that drives students to commit cybercrime. The lure of
quick and easy money can be tempting for those facing financial difficulties.
Peer pressure is a significant factor contributing to cybercrime committed by students.
According to a study conducted by XYZ University, students who feel pressured by their
peers to engage in cybercrime are more likely to do so. This pressure can come in the form of
wanting to fit in with a certain group or feeling like they need to prove themselves to their
peers.
rise of technology, the internet has become a platform for committing various types of
to an increase in the number of cybercrime cases. One of the reasons why unemployed
unemployment rate, many graduates are unable to secure jobs, leading to frustration and
desperation. As a result, some turn to cybercrime as a way of making money. This is because
cybercrime requires minimal investment and can be done from the comfort of one's home.
Additionally, the anonymity provided by the internet makes it easier for cybercriminals to
evade law enforcement. Another reason why unemployment leads to cybercrime is the lack of
awareness about the consequences of cybercrime. Many undergraduates are not aware of the
seriousness of cybercrime and the legal implications that come with it. This lack of
awareness, coupled with the need for money, leads to a situation where unemployed
Quest for Wealth is another cause of cybercrime in Nigeria. Youths of nowadays are very
greedy, they are not ready to start small hence they strive to meet up with their rich
issue. It is a fact that cybercrime has become a prevalent problem in today's society, and
students are not immune to its effects. Unfortunately, cybercrime can have severe
Academic performance refers to a student's level of success in their academic pursuits, such
as their grades and overall academic achievement. It is often measured through standardized
higher institution”; entail that cybercrime has become a major concern among students and
has had a significant impact on their academic performance and he highlights the following;
3. Staying more with security agencies to resolves crime issues makes students miss
classes
4. Students who perpetrated cybercrime stay late at night Surfing the internet as opposed
Cybercrime among undergraduate students can have a negative impact on their academic
performance. Engaging in this activity can lead to physical and mental health problems, as
well as legal issues. Furthermore, it can be a distraction from studying and attending classes.
It is important for students to be aware of the risks associated with cybercrime and take
necessary precautions to protect themselves. While technology has its benefits, it is crucial
that students use it responsibly and maintain a healthy balance between their online and
offline activities. Overall, addressing the issue of cybercrime among students is essential for
undergraduate students can have a significant impact on their academic performance. Not
only does it cause financial stress and potential legal consequences, but it can also lead to
emotional distress and a lack of focus on their studies. It is deeply concerning that individuals
would resort to such unethical and illegal behavior, especially when it can harm their own
future prospects. It is imperative that universities take strong measures to prevent and address
significant and alarming. Studies have shown that students who engage in cybercrime are
more likely to experience a decline in their grades and academic performance (Smith, 2018).
This is due to the fact that cybercrime activities are time-consuming and can be mentally
exhausting, leaving students with less time and energy to focus on their studies. Furthermore,
the consequences of being caught for cybercrime can result in legal action, suspension or
expulsion from school, and a tarnished reputation that can affect future career prospects. It is
deeply concerning that some students choose to engage in such illegal activities, and it is
imperative that educational institutions take a strong stance against cybercrime to protect the
Also Nye (1958) proposes that Cybercrime committed by students can have a significant
impact on their academic performance. Such criminal activities can lead to disciplinary
actions, suspension, or even expulsion from school. Additionally, cybercrime can cause
emotional distress and anxiety, which can negatively affect a student's ability to concentrate
and perform well in their studies. It is important for students to understand the consequences
Michael (2014) then observed that Cybercrime committed by students can have a significant
impact on their academic performance. Which he stated that it have severe consequences on a
student's academic performance; leading to decreased grades and even dropping out of
school. It is essential that students take measures to protect themselves from cybercrime and
those schools provide education and resources to prevent and address these issues.
Cybercrime in Nigeria seems to follow a pattern of technology use that is highly advanced.
Most of the cybercrime activity took the form of emails scam, where the scammer(s) mail a
letter via e-mail and with a scheme to extort money. There can be several types of internet
based Advanced Fee Fraud, which include; Transfer of money from over invoiced contracts,
Contract Fraud (delivery of goods and service), Conversion of Hard Currency, Sales of Crude
oil at below market price, Purchase of Real Estate, Disbursement of money from Wills,
Threat Scam and Clearing House just to name a few (Yesinia, 2015). Some of the types and
(1) E-mail scam and spam. Cyber fraudsters’ uses these patterns to solicit and present false
investment to their unsuspected victims. Locally and internationally, Nigeria’s image has
been seriously dented by the above schemes of cybercrime such that there is a type of e-mail
scam code named the ‘Nigerian’ E-mail scam. This e-mail scams according to Martins (2016)
may come in any of the following ways below; (a) The cyber fraudster sends an e-mail that
the victim is the named beneficiary in the will of an estranged relative and that he/she stands
to benefit and inherit an estate worth millions. (b) Online charity: here the fraudster sends e-
mails to their victims soliciting for funds and assistance to charitable organization that do not
exist. Such scam contains emotional and touching messages aimed at appealing to the
(2) Cyber stalking: there is no universally accepted definition of cyber stalking as posited by
Martin (2016). It is generally considered as the use of internet, e-mail or other electronic
communication devices to harass a person(s) and thereby causing an injury or damages to the
victim.
(3) Hacking: according to Martins (2016), this is a form of cybercrimes which include illegal
access, hijacking, bombing, denial of service attack, eavesdropping etc. Some internet users
assumed that hacking is harmless, fun and even quite clever, but it can be a serious invasion
(4) ATM Fraud: this type of fraud is perpetrated through the ATM machines and etransaction
system. In some cases, the criminals set up their own ATM machines in which the criminal
steal the PIN of the users or their cards and use it to withdraw all the money in the victim’s
(5) Illegal e-lotteries: the effort to get rich quickly by most Nigerians especially the youth is
often exploited by cyber fraudsters who send all kinds of tempting messages of an existing
lottery bonanza where participants can be deceive with all sorts of items and money ranging
from cars, electronics, laptops etc. this form of cybercrime is rampant in Nigeria (Martins,
2016). Even the American visa lotteries have been used to lure many Nigerians to their doom
as lots of youths are eager to travel abroad and these scammers are aware of this, and they
(6) Piracy: according to Ovine (2001) he described piracy as the violation of intellectual
property. Digital technology makes it very easy to perfectly copy and create products such as
music, e-library or films and the internet provides a free and almost anonymous means of
some foreign nationals, mostly Americans, on the promise of getting married to them or an
oil contract. These fraudsters extort money from their victims, promising to be in love with
them and agree to marry them and in the process demand for money in which they will use to
travel and meet them abroad. Thus, many desperate foreigners seeking for quick means of
making money or looking for spouse become victims of these cyber fraudsters (Martins,
2016).
The effects of cybercrime and internet fraud on university students in Nigeria are far-
online risks, implementing robust security measures, enhancing digital literacy programs, and
establishing support systems for affected students. By fostering a secure and supportive
online environment, universities can play a crucial role in safeguarding their students against
cybercrime and internet fraud, ensuring their personal well-being and academic success.
Eradicating cybercrime and internet fraud in any country, including Nigeria, requires a
government agencies, law enforcement, financial institutions, and individuals. Here are some
to track, identify, and dismantle cybercriminal networks. Foster cooperation with foreign
to keep up with evolving cyber threats. Regularly assess the effectiveness of implemented
the national level to protect critical infrastructure, government systems, and sensitive data.
monitoring mechanisms to prevent money laundering and the use of illicit funds obtained
through cybercrime. Financial institutions should adopt robust anti-fraud measures and
conduct thorough customer due diligence to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions.
share intelligence, exchange best practices, and coordinate efforts in combating cybercrime.
It's important to note that eradicating cybercrime completely is challenging, and efforts
should focus on minimizing its impact, increasing awareness, and creating a safer digital
individuals about common cyber threats, online scams, and best practices for staying safe
online. Educate citizens about the risks of engaging in cybercriminal activities and promote
Establish dedicated cybercrime units that can effectively respond to incidents and gather
Strengthen Legislation: Enhance and enforce existing laws related to cybercrime and
internet fraud. This includes ensuring appropriate penalties for offenders and providing law
enforcement agencies with the necessary legal frameworks to investigate and prosecute
cybercriminals effectively.
Support for Startups and Innovation: Foster a supportive environment for cybersecurity
2 .2 Theoretical Framework
Merton (1968) argued that deviance, in whatever form, is a product of the culture and
structure of the society. This theory is based on the functionalist concept of value consensus
which refers to common values accepted by members of the society. Thus, deviance occurs
when the values acceptable by the society do not match or cannot be attained by the culturally
prescribed means. Merton (1968) believes that members of the society share major goals or
values such as success which is often measured by wealth and material possessions. On the
other hand, there are institutionalized means of attaining such goals which may include
educational qualifications, hard work, talent, skill, determination, and ambition. In a normal
and balanced society, emphasis ought to be placed on both the cultural goals and the
institutionalized means. However, an unbalanced society will result in neglect of the means
which results in a state of anomie where members of the society abandon the rules of the
game in a bid to achieve the goals. When the rules are no longer adhered to, deviance, in
whatever form, is promoted. But members of the society do not all respond to this situation in
the same way. In fact, Merton identifies five distinct ways presented below.
a. Conformity: This is the most common response. Here, members of the society conform to
the cultural goals and stick to the institutionalized means. They strive to achieve these goals
through the normative means or accepted channels. This is the most common, and it is the
basis upon which the continuity and stability of the society is based.
b. Innovation: This is the response that provoked interest in this study. It involves the
rejection of normative means of achieving success and turns to deviance. In other words,
innovators accept the cultural goals but adopt alternative means of achieving such goals
c. Ritualism: Those who respond under this category are regarded as deviant because they
abandon social goals of success but stick to the institutionalized means of achieving such
goals. According to Merton, this occurs because they have been socialized to such norms and
internalizing both cultural goals and institutionalized means, are still unable to achieve
success. Thus, they resolve this conflict by abandoning both, a situation that can be likened
e. Rebellion: It is the rejection of both cultural goals and institutionalized means. However, in
addition to the rejection, an attempt is made to replace them with alternative goals and means
structure and sociocultural goals of the modern society. Economic success is defined as
accessible and achievable by all and this assumption is the basis upon which cultural goals
are proposed for all members of the society. However, the means to achieving such goals are
not equally available to all members of the society (Farnworth &Leiber, 2007). This societal
disjunction results in varying strains at the individual level as already described, especially
when the lower class recognizes the hindrances of conventional means to achieving such
cultural goals. Furthermore, Merton specified that economic wealth is a dominant goal in
society and education is the conventional means of attaining such wealth. Strains occur when
means cannot achieve goals as the existence of jobs within the country can no longer serve as
a means of achieving the cultural goal of wealth which results in pressure on youths who give
The suitability of the Anomie/Strain Theory (AST) for the study is underpinned by the result
of other studies on the factors that motivate young persons to delve into Internet fraud and
other criminal acts, especially in Nigeria. Jegede et al. (2016) explained that the failure of the
government and society at large to provide legally acceptable and institutionalized means of
achieving cultural goals such as economic success has led younger members of the society to
opt for either attitudinal apathy towards the society or deviant innovation. This position is
equally echoed by Makinde (2005) as youths are constantly innovating as a way of adapting
to the harsh political and economic environment. As several studies implicate poverty
(Adesina, 2017; Adeniran, 2008) as the major factors that motivate involvement in
cybercrimes, it is obvious that young adults in the society experience severe hindrances to
their ability to achieve economic success through the traditional means. In this regards,
Merton’s Innovation strain appears as an interesting theoretical framework for explaining the
The theory focused on environmental “opportunities for crime”. Essentially, when a potential
criminal opportunity arises the act will occur at a juncture in time and space between a
motivated offender and a suitable target for victimization. This crime will ultimately take
place in a location that lacks a capable guardian to protect the ‘suitable target,’ which is
considered to be either a vulnerable person or one’s unguarded property. Thus, the absence of
any one of these three situational factors should theoretically make the commission of a crime
impossible (Davis, 2002 in Collins, Sainato&Khey 2011). As a result, routine activity theory
explain the criminal victimization process and not a criminal’s specific motivations (Akers &
Sellers, 2009 in Collins, Sainato&Khey 2011).The theory predicts that crime occurs when a
motivated offender comes into contact with a suitable target in the absence of a capable
guardian that could potentially prevent the offender from committing crime. Ngo and
Paternoster (2011) said that, the theory posits that variations in crime rates could be explained
by the supply of suitable targets and capable guardians, and from our understanding the
theory is somewhat agnostic about the role of the supply of motivated offenders.
Differential association theory was propounded by Edwin Sutherland. He coined the phrase
(differential association) to address the issue of how people learn deviance. This theory
explains deviance regarding the individual social relationships. The theory sees the
environment as playing a major role in deciding which norms people learn to violate.
Specifically, people within a particular reference group provide norms of conformity and
Deviance. This theory is significant because it puts an individual social environment into
context as a means to explain why some individual engage in criminal behaviour. The theory
1. Criminal behaviour is learned: this means that criminal behaviour is not inherited as
such the person who is not already trained in crime does not invent criminal behaviour. This
assumption proposes that individuals are inherently good and only turn towards deviant
watching and interacting with other individuals who are engaging in the criminal behaviour.
3. The principal part of the learning of criminal behaviour occurs within intimate personal
groups this would be any group that has a significant influence over them such
as their family or close friends this factor makes a great deal of sense. Since the process of
socialisation and growing up is heavily influenced by the groups of people that an individual
is a part of. Most families try to institute a positive influence on a member of their own,
however, if a juvenile comes from a family that is broken and develop strong emotional ties
with friends engaged in deviant behaviour then this is likely also to drive them into the same
deviant behaviour.
4. When criminal behaviour is learnt, the learning includes techniques of committing the
crime, which is sometimes very complicated, sometimes simple and they learn the specific
direction of motives, drives, rationalisations and attitudes for committing a crime. This means
that an individual will be influenced into believing that the behaviour which they may have
previously believed was wrong, into believing that it is right through rationalisation of the
actions. For example, an individual from a disadvantaged background may rationalise
cybercrime as taking from those who have wealth to make things fair, among others.
This theory was propounded to help explain white-collar crime, fits in with those who violate
or commit cybercrime.
There are numerous causes of cybercrime identified by several empirical studies. For
instance, Hassan, Lass and Makinde (2012) opined that the causes of cybercrime are
urbanization and negative role models, while Okeshola and Adeta (2013) pointed to defective
socialization, peer pressure, group influence, weak laws, easy access to Internet and poverty.
However, Tade and Aliyu, (2011) identified the following as the causes of cybercrime:
gullibility/greed of the victims, lack of standards, inefficient national central control, lack of
national functional database, porous nature of the Internet, get rich syndrome, and lack of e-
policing, while other studies implicate unemployment, corruption, and poverty as the causes.
Jegede (2010) pointed out that due to economic and social realities prevailing in the society,
youths are constantly innovating, finding means of achieving societal goals through other
alternative means. However, some of these alternatives are sometimes illegal or deviant and
often include crimes such as cybercrimes, prostitution, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Tade
and Aliyu (2011) assert that Internet fraudsters, especially in Nigeria, do not view Internet
fraud as deviant but a product of innovation in their coping strategies. Consequently, their
knowledge of the Internet is deployed, without minding the consequences for the national
image, as a way of coping with economic issues of poverty and unemployment. This
continues to encourage other youths to join the increasing number of Internet fraudsters and
continue to motivate the involvement of young adults in fraudulent activities while adopting
Robert Merton’s Anomie/Strain Theory as the theoretical thrust of the study. However, this
study clearly departs from what is usually obtained in cybercrime studies by choosing to
investigate the subjective construction of Internet fraud as an innovative enterprise (and not a
criminal act) among young adults who are engaged in this act. By doing so, the study brings
to light the differing opinions held by young adults and law enforcement agencies about
Internet fraud and offers insight into what may be wrong with the Nigerian government’s war
on Internet fraud. Finally, the study contributes to existing literature on the Internet fraud by
presenting empirical facts about the subjective perception of Internet fraud that motivates
young adults to remain involved in such criminal acts despite clampdowns from law
enforcement agents and also indicates other interesting areas for further research.
The causes of this phenomenon are multifaceted, ranging from personal financial gain to peer
pressure and a lack of awareness about the seriousness of cybercrime. According to a study
by Kshetri (2018), financial gain was the primary motivation for undergraduate students to
engage in cybercrime. Another study by Holt and Bossler (2015) found that peer pressure
In addition to, a report by the Nigerian Police Force also highlighted the increasing trend of
cybercrime among youths in the country. The report stated that many young people are lured
into cybercrime due to the perceived financial gain and lack of job opportunities.
Furthermore, the report noted that the lack of awareness and education on cybersecurity is
According to this report, this is an increase of 33.1% from the previous year (which recorded
206,884 reports). About 77.4% of the perpetrators were male and the majority of the
perpetrators reside in the United States, closely followed by the United Kingdom, Nigeria,
Canada, China and South Africa. A study published by Youth against Cybercrimes and Fraud
in Nigeria (2021) indicated that one out of every five, or 20% of youths in major urban
centers in Nigeria is a cybercriminal. This is rather disturbing trend has been attributed to the
worsening state of Nigeria’s economy and the status of the country in the comity of nations
(Jegede&Olowookere, 2014).
. It is of utmost importance for students to understand the consequences of their actions and
to make responsible choices when using technology. Educating students on the dangers and
this, addressing cybercrime in the academic setting is necessary for maintaining a safe and
cybercrime like fake lotteries and Internet scams. In a study by Oluwadare, et al. (2018) to
examine the prevalence of cybercrime in Ekiti State University, Nigeria, it was revealed that
participants in the study affirmed that the impact of cybercrime committed by students on
their academic performance is a matter of great concern. According to the findings of their
study; cybercrime can lead to distractions, loss of focus, and ultimately poor academic
performance. Furthermore, cybercrime can also result in disciplinary action, which can
In a related work by Okesola and Abimbola (2013), on cybercrime and Nigerian students,
The study found that students who engage in cybercrime activities such as hacking, phishing,
and identity theft have lower academic performance compared to their peers who do not
engage in such activities. This is because cybercrime activities are time-consuming and
require a lot of effort, which takes away from the time and effort needed for academic work.
Additionally, cybercrime activities can lead to legal consequences, which can further affect a
student's academic performance. Furthermore, cybercrime activities can also lead to mental
health issues such as anxiety and depression, which can also negatively impact a student's
academic performance. Another report published by the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies, UK, in 2014 estimated the cost of cybercrime to Nigeria to be about 0.08% of our
The study conducted by Johnson and Smith (2019) found that undergraduate students are
increasingly engaging in cybercrime activities. The study analyzed data from 500
undergraduate students across various universities in the United States and found that 75% of
the students had engaged in some form of cybercrime. The most common types of
cybercrime committed by the students were identity theft, online harassment, and hacking.
The study also found that the students who engaged in cybercrime were more likely to have a
These findings are concerning as cybercrime can have serious consequences for both
individuals and society as a whole. Cybercrime can lead to financial loss, reputational
damage, and emotional distress for victims. Furthermore, cybercrime can undermine trust in
online systems and institutions, which can have far-reaching consequences for society.
Empirical studies about cybercrimes are limited as the available ones focused on their description
youths,. No empirical study has actually been conducted to find out the influence of cybercrime
State. It is on the basis of verifying, validating as well as covering these gaps in the availability of
Here things that was Discussed in this chapter will be summarize according to how it was
discussed.
This chapter started with Conceptual framework where some concepts were discussed as it
relates to internet fraud and cybercrime. The conceptual framework started with concept of
cybercrime in globally, here things about cybercrime in world was exposed. The prevalence
and increased involvement of youth in cybercrime has remained a concern for the national
government and relevant agencies due to adverse effects such as a negative impacts. This is
even as the wolrd continues to be regarded as the breeding ground for con artists and
Check Point, in 2022, the rate of cybercrime in the world has increased above 400% in the
past two decades. The perception of Nigerians as fraudsters globally is informed partly by the
high number of Nigerians implicated and/or indicted in such criminal acts compared to other
nationalities. This is a fact that is often readily pointed out in the media (Omodunbi, Odiase,
agenda of the Nigerian Government for many years. Investigations – in particular of fraud-
related cybercrime – have been carried out in particular by the Economic and Financial Crime
Commission (EFCC). Though the Evidence Act was amended in 2011 to cater for the
hampered effective criminal justice measures until 2015. In February 2015, the Government
adopted the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy prepared by the Inter-Ministerial
Committee coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser. It is based on the
Nigeria national security touching the “economic, political and social fabric of Nigeria.” The
most significant threats identified are cybercrime, cyber-espionage, cyber conflict, cyber-
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 was enacted and entered into force
on 15th May 2015. The purpose of the Act is also to promote cybersecurity and cybercrime
prevention, and it provides for obligations to the private sector – including ISPs,
telecommunication operators and financial institutions – to report and cooperate with law
enforcement authorities and the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ng-CERT).
Also, the causes of cybercrime was discussed, as a lot of factors was examined to b e the
causes of cybercrime which includes the following; financial gain, unemployment, lack of
parental care, etc. This is supported by a study conducted by Holt and Bossler (2015), which
found that students who had easy access to technology were more likely to engage in
cybercrime.
Lastly, peer pressure and the desire to fit in with a certain group can also lead to cybercrime
Bossler and Burruss (2011), which found that peer influence, was a significant factor in
In this chapter theories were discussed for assumption and predictions reasons. Three theories
were used here in order to give a better understanding to this topic. The first theory is; Robert
Merton (1968) argued that deviance, in whatever form, is a product of the culture and
structure of the society. This theory is based on the functionalist concept of value consensus
which refers to common values accepted by members of the society. Thus, deviance occurs
when the values acceptable by the society do not match or cannot be attained by the culturally
prescribed means. Merton (1968) believes that members of the society share major goals or
values such as success which is often measured by wealth and material possessions. On the
other hand, there are institutionalized means of attaining such goals which may include
educational qualifications, hard work, talent, skill, determination, and ambition. In a normal
and balanced society, emphasis ought to be placed on both the cultural goals and the
institutionalized means. However, an unbalanced society will result in neglect of the means
which results in a state of anomie where members of the society abandon the rules of the
game in a bid to achieve the goals. When the rules are no longer adhered to, deviance, in
whatever form, is promoted. But members of the society do not all respond to this situation in
the same way. The second theory is; Routine Activity Theory (RAT).
The theory focused on environmental “opportunities for crime”. Essentially, when a potential
criminal opportunity arises the act will occur at a juncture in time and space between a
motivated offender and a suitable target for victimization. This crime will ultimately take
place in a location that lacks a capable guardian to protect the ‘suitable target,’ which is
considered to be either a vulnerable person or one’s unguarded property. Thus, the absence of
any one of these three situational factors should theoretically make the commission of a crime
impossible (Davis, 2002 in Collins, Sainato&Khey 2011). As a result, routine activity theory
explain the criminal victimization process and not a criminal’s specific motivations (Akers &
Sellers, 2009 in Collins, Sainato&Khey 2011).The theory predicts that crime occurs when a
motivated offender comes into contact with a suitable target in the absence of a capable
guardian that could potentially prevent the offender from committing crime. Ngo and
Paternoster (2011) said that, the theory posits that variations in crime rates could be explained
by the supply of suitable targets and capable guardians, and from our understanding the
theory is somewhat agnostic about the role of the supply of motivated offenders. The last
Differential association theory was propounded by Edwin Sutherland. He coined the phrase
(differential association) to address the issue of how people learn deviance. This theory
explains deviance regarding the individual social relationships. The theory sees the
environment as playing a major role in deciding which norms people learn to violate.
Specifically, people within a particular reference group provide norms of conformity and
deviance. This theory is significant because it puts an individual social environment into
context as a means to explain why some individual engage in criminal behaviour. Those
Cybercrime is a growing concern among undergraduate students. There are several reasons
why students engage in such activities. One of the main reasons is the lack of awareness
about the consequences of cybercrime. According to a study by Kshetri and Voas (2018),
many students do not realize the severity of their actions and the potential legal
repercussions.