Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the perception of the Ict And Financial Crimes Rate among Youths using in Umuahia North Local Government as a study. In this research study, we found out people’s reaction to messages depends mainly on how it is perceived. To achieve the aim of the study, literature was reviewed. Survey research method was used in which questionnaire, the major instrument, was distributed to various respondents in the execution of the study. Samples were selected using the systematic random sampling techniques. Chi-square and simple percentages was used in analyzing data. Internet is used as a channel for the perpetration of criminal spamming activities was the finding drawn. Finally, Cyber laws should be made to govern the country’s cyber space and give the nation’s adequate cyber security was the recommendation gotten based on the finding drawn.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
In recent times, fear of crime research has come to the fore of criminological and forensic research due to its significance in contributing to an understanding of the predictors of crime, as well as coming up with policy interventions. Research into fear of crime meanwhile is mostly focused on conventional or physical place-based crimes, however, cyberspace has increasingly changed the nature and scope of criminality (offending and victimization) (Jaishankar, 2007). Cross country data has revealed that cybercrimes, specifically credit/debit card fraud has seen a drastic increase, with a rising concern and fear of victimisation in the USA, Australia and Britain (Fox, 2001; Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008; Roberts, Indermaur & Spiranovic, 2013).
The growth in the volume and value of online transactions over the past two decades warrants concerns over the risks of cyber fraud. According to StatsCan (2009), in 2001 there were 13.4 million online orders made by over 2.2 million households. By 2007, this figure had grown to nearly 70 million orders by about 8.4 million Canadian individuals aged 16 years and older. This growth creates previously unimaginable opportunities for cyber frauds, including stealing identities and hacking customers credit/debit card details from retails or from their personal devices. In fact, Grau (2008) notes that concern over the security of credit card payments holds Canadians back from buying more online.
Crime remains pervasive and forever strives to hide itself in terms of communication i.e in a manner that the perception of individual in information dissemination online is at risks and in the face of development. As measures and techniques for detecting crimes and criminals advance, criminals also look for means of hiding from these measures.
Obano (2007:17) asserts that the internet is a platform where information can be pass to different audience but now, the internet currently serve as a hiding place for fraudsters who have simply migrated from the streets to an electronic platform.
Okonigini (2002:25) defines computer crime as criminal activities, involving information technology infrastructure, including illegal access of computer data from or within a computer.
Although, online financial crime is being perpetrated all across the world, Nigeria has become a fertile ground for such nefarious activities. According to a report by Internet Crime Complain Centre (2010), Nigeria ranked third among the top 10 countries of the world in online financial crime perpetration. The global view of Nigeria as a country has been dampened by the activities of these "yahoo boys". Online financial crime has taken us aback in Nigeria and the world over (Ayoku 2005). The cyberspace is now a hiding platform for criminals to execute their dastardly acts, (Akinola 2006). Through this platform, fraudsters have been given a tool that facilitates their contact with potential victims and makes it harder to trail, unlike the crude methods of crimes (Longe&Chiemeke, 2008). The degree of vagueness which the internet provides for users has influenced cyber criminal operations in Nigeria (Wang 2007). Youths have embraced these ICT inventions in their usual mobile telephony and global telecasts such as Facebook, Skype, Twitter, 2go, Whatsapp and Blackberry pinging etc. As the internet continues to expand and become indispensable in our communication and social life, the inevitable inference will be that, our society is going to be increasingly dependent on fragile and insecure information structure (Adeniran 2006).
Different nations have adopted different strategies to contend with crimes depending on their nature and extent. Certainly, a nation with high incidence of crime do have a big problem in information dissemination in the cyberspace and therefore cannot grow or develop. For Nigeria, a nation in the process of saving her face regarding cyber crimes, efforts are now being directed at the sources and channels through which cyber crimes are being perpetuated the most. [Chiemeke (2008:32)].
Obviously, the initial intent for advancing Internet for man on planet earth was not to perpetuate crimes, but wiring the world together through ICT has automatically merged the GARDEN and the WILDERNESS. The activities of cybercriminals on the internet are casting a dark shadow on the comfort, convenience and reliability of internet users. For Sylvester (2001), online financial crimes thrives on the Web because the Internet mechanism does not allow a user to selectively reject messages. Thus making him or her susceptible to malicious and unwanted messages capable of causing havoc. Therefore, the internet is free for all, no identity, no boundary, and its breeds online financial crime (Agboola, 2006).
It is difficult to deny student support of the menace with yahooze shirts, yahooze dance steps, yahooze songs from the likes of Olu Maintain. Even some young people identify themselves as yahoo boys and girls.
Similarly, Martins (2008:43) notes that the paramount classification of yahooism as a branch of cyber crime and transitional crime is not only expedient in understanding its mystery, but propounding a lasting solution when considering curbing the menace. The above background is the foundation upon which this study and its essence are rested.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Computerization significantly eases the performance of many tasks. For example, the speed and ability to communicate with people is fostered by the Internet, a worldwide network that is used to send communiques and provide access to the world-wide web. But this same speed and ability to communicate also opens the door to criminal conduct. Cyber crime plays a significant role in the criminal law of the information age.
The problem of cyber crimes in Nigerian is an off shoot of other numerous problems confronting the nation. Some of these problems are caused by mismanagement on the parts of the leading elites, while some others are caused by lack of value orientation on part of citizens. The get rich quick syndrome and our crave for materialism have surfaced through various factors and facets. Hard work is not rewarded in Nigerian. The rich is worshiped and followed without questioning the source of the wealth. This has led to moral earthquake among the citizens.
Internet usage in Nigeria has grown rapidly resulting in the explosion of Internet Service Providers (ISPS) and Internet Access Point creating an increase in the positive impacts on the socio-economic and educational developments in the country.
Unfortunately, the country’s image has also suffered as a result of the unscripted activities of some Nigerians using the internet as a channel for the dissemination of information in the perpetration of criminal spamming activities.
The major implication of the unconscious acceptance of this menace in the Nigerian society in the nearest future has created a high level of disinterest in the authenticity of communication sources, education and touting among young people.
In Nigeria today, young people mostly students are the ones who engage in this form of anti-social behaviour for the purpose of living a life of splendour.
In recent times Nigeria has been labelled as a corrupt nation. There is a need for the Nigerian government to do something fast and urgent to curb this menace of cyber crime. The question is, is it that the traditional values of our country cannot find a place in the hearts of our students utilizing the internet? Or is it that the government of Nigeria has become so helpless that nothing can be done about unreliable and harmful communication for the purpose of committing crimes in the internet?
To answer these questions and to generally evaluate the Ict And Financial Crimes Rate Among Youths in Abia state, this study is undertaken.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The aim of this study is to examine the perception of the Ict And Financial Crimes Rate among Youths
Specifically, the following will be the objective of this study:
1. To find out how Youths perceive online financial crime.
2. To find out how the Abia State Government has been curbing online financial crime among Youths in Abia state.
3. To ascertain the factors that tends to cause young people’s involvement in online financial crime in Nigeria in general and Umuahia North Local Government in particular.
4. To ascertain how online financial crime affect credibility of information through the internet.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions have been formulated to guide this study:
1. How do Youths perceive online financial crime?
2. How has the Abia State Government been curbing online financial crime among students and the general public Among Youths in Abia state?
3. What are the factors that tend to cause people’s involvement in online financial crime in Nigeria in general and Umuahia North Local Government in particular?
4. How do online financial crimes affect credibility of information through the internet?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study, which is primarily aimed at explaining how online financial crime has impacted on the perception of students in the society, will provide an insight into the problems associated with online financial crime.
This report would be of great benefit for students, to expose them to the factors that tend to cause young people’s involvement in online financial crime in Nigeria.
It would be useful to the government and related stakeholders to enable them adequately understand factors responsible for and how to curb the continue spread of online financial crime among Youths [and the general public].
The findings will be useful for researchers to further generate knowledge in the field.
1.6. Scope of the Study
This study focused on the perception of online financial crime on ICT use among Youths, using students of Umuahia North Local Government as the study group.
1.7. Limitation of the Study
A major limitation of the group is the samples were only from Umuahia North Local Government South Among Youths in Abia state where it was chosen as the area in carrying out this research. This finding is based on the results gathered from Umuahia North Local Government South students on the perception of online financial crime on ICT use among Youths.
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