Exploring the Socio-economic Dynamics of Youths’ Involvement in Internet Fraud in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic dynamics and youth involvement in internet fraud in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to analyse the influence of unemployment status and peer pressure on youth involvement in internet fraud. The Fraud triangle was adopted in this study as the theoretical framework. The study applied a descriptive survey research design, and a sample of 584 respondents was used. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents who participated in the study. The formulated hypotheses were tested using simple percentages, independent t-tests, and simple linear regression using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) at a significance level of 0.05. The results of the analyses revealed that there is a significant influence of unemployment status on youth involvement in internet fraud. The study further revealed that there is a significant influence of peer pressure on youth involvement in internet fraud. Therefore, the study concludes that certain socio-economic factors influence youth involvement in internet fraud within Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it is recommended that policymakers and government agencies address unemployment issues, provide skill-building programs, and create job opportunities to reduce the motivation for young people to turn to illegal activities like cybercrime. Given the significance of peer pressure in influencing youth involvement in cybercrime, the study also recommends the need for targeted educational initiatives and awareness campaigns. These efforts should aim to inform young individuals about the potential risks and consequences associated with engaging in cybercrime activities, as well as promote responsible and ethical online behaviour.