Abstract
The study assesses the youths and
internet crime in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Specific
objectives are; To determine the various internet crimes committed by youths in
Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, To examine the causes of
internet crimes among youths in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta
State, To examine the effect of internet crimes and To examine the control
measures of internet crimes in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta
State.
The study employed a descriptive survey
research design to gather information on youths and internet crime in Warri
South Local Government Area of Delta State; questionnaires in addition to
library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data
sources were used and data was analyzed using the Chi-square statistical tool
at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and
percentage. The respondents under the study were 180 youths of Warri South
Local Government Area.
Findings
from the study revealed that the value which society place on wealth
accumulation is what encourages people to participate in fraudulent activities.
The introduction or advent of internet technology in Nigeria has facilitated
fraudulent activities
The research work will be of great
importance to the students of sociology department, internet service providers,
Nigerian government officials and students in other related fields.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - i
Approval Page - - - - - - - - ii
Declaration - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vi
Table of Contents - - - - - - - vii
CHAPTER
ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study - - - - -
1.2 Statement
of General Problem - - - -
1.3 Objective
of the Study - - - - - -
1.4 Research
Questions - - - - - -
1.5
Hypothesis - -
- - -
- - -
-
1.6 Significance
of the Study - - - - -
1.7 Scope
of the Study - - - - - -
1.8 Definition
of Terms - - - - - -
CHAPTER
TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
2.1 Overview of Internet crime in
Nigeria - - - - -
2.2 Theoretical Framework - - - - - -
2.3 Conceptual Framework - - - - - - -
2.4 Empirical Review- - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
3.2 Research
Design - - - - - - - -
3.3 Area
of the Study - - - - - - - -
3.4 Population
of Study - - - - - - - -
3.5 Sample
size and Sampling Techniques - - - - -
3.6 Instrument
for Data Collection - - - - - -
3.7 Validity
of the Instrument - - - - - - -
3.8 Reliability
of the Instrument - - - - - -
3.9 Method
of Data Collection - - - - - - -
3.10 Method
of Data Analysis - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
FOUR – DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
4.1 Data
Presentation and Analysis - - - - - -
4.2 Characteristics
of the Respondents - - - - -
4.3 Data
Analysis - - - - - - - - -
4.4 Testing
Hypothesis - - - - - - - -
4.5 Summary
of Findings - - - - - - - -
4.6 Discussion
of Findings - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - -
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - -
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - -
References
- - - - - - - - - -
Appendix - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
to the study
According to techopedia
(2016), the concept intercept crime is any crime or illegal online activity
committed on the internet, through the internet or using the internet. Internet
crime is a strong branch of cybercrime which includes identity theft, internet
scams and cyber net crime as crimes that involve the use of a computer and
networks in its execution.
These crimes are committed
on the internet using the computer as either a tool or a target victim.
According to him there is an alarming spread of internet crimes. Types of internet
crime includes cyber bullying and harassment financial extortion, internet bomb
threats, classified global security data theft, password trafficking,
enterprise trade secret theft, personally data hacking, copyright violations
such as piracy, counterfeit trademarks illegal weapon trafficking, online child
pornography, credit card theft and fraud, email phishing, domain name
hijacking, virus spreading e.t.c.
The contribution of
internet to the development of internet to the development of the nation has
been marred by the evolution of new waves of crime. The internet has also
become an environment where the most lucrative and safest crime thrives. Cyber
or internet crime has come as a surprise and a strange phenomenon that for now
lives with us in Nigeria. Akogwe (2012) noted that with each passing day, we
witness more and more alarming cases of cyber crimes in Nigeria, with each new
case more shocking than the one before.
The youth in every
society is of great importance and concern to that society because they are
looked upon as the leaders of tomorrow. Olaidede and Adewole (2004), observed
that a sizeable number of criminals in Nigeria fall within the youthful age. The
youths at present have discovered different ways of using the internet in doing
different types of criminal activities and these age brackets are usually found
in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. These internet crimes being committed by
youths in Nigeria is currently on the increase as more youths in Nigeria are
becoming aware of the various activates that can be done on the internet.
Furthermore, Agba (2012) noted that youths in Nigeria are
faced with so many economic challenges such as poverty, corruption,
unemployment e.t.c which further prompt them to participate in various internet
crimes. According to Sesan (2010) a 2007
internet crime report listed Nigeria third in terms of online crime activity
and the prevalence of young Nigerians. Although Mc Connel (2000), argued that
cybercrimes differ from most terrestrial crimes in four ways which are
They are easy to learn,
they require few resources relative to the potential damage caused, they can be
committed in a junsdiction without being physically present and they are often
not clearing illegal. As such, internet crime has become one of the major
security issues for law enforcement agencies and the world in general.
Ribadu (2007) stated
that most internet crimes in Nigeria were committed by youths between the ages
of twenty (20) and thirty five (35) years in Southern part of Nigeria. He
further stated that the prominent forms of internet crimes in Nigeria are
cloning of website, false representations, internet purchase and other
e-commerce kind of fraud.
Olugbodi (2010), states
that the most prevalent forms of cyber crimes are website cloning, financial
fraud, identity theft, credit card theft, cyber theft, cyber harassment,
fraudulent electronic mails, cyber laundering and virus/worms/Trojans.
UNESCO (2016) explained
that the concept “youth” is best understood as a period of transition from the
dependence of childhood to adulthood’s independence and awareness of our
interdependence as members of a community. When carrying out its youth
strategy, UNESCO uses different definitions of youth depending on the context.
The UN, for statistical consistency across regions, defines “youth” as those
persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years, without prejudice to other definitions
by members state. The Oxford online dictionary (2016) further define “youth” as
the period between childhood and adult age.
Crime on the other
hand, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary (2016) is an illegal art for
which someone can be punished by the government. It is the commission of an act
that is for bidden or omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law
which makes the offender liable to punishment by that law. The main criminal
acts attributed to Nigeria youths are internet scam, bunkering e.t.c.
While the internet has
offered a lot of platform for useful research purposes and business
opportunities, cyber or internet crimes are world wide problem that is costing
countries billions of dollars. Hasan (2012) asserted that internet crimes in
Nigeria and the rest of the world is usually committed buy youths between the
ages of 18 and 35 years. He further identified urbanization, unemployment and
quest for wealth as the major causes of internet crimes among youth.
In Nigeria today,
numerous internet assisted crimes are committed daily in various forms such as
identity theft, desktop counterfeiting, internet chat room, cyber harassment,
fraudulent electronic mails, automated teller machine, spoofing, pornography,
piracy, hacking, phishing and spamming. Usually, these crimes are committed in
forms w sending of fraudulent and bogus financial proposals from cyber
criminals to innocent internet users. The increasing rates of cyber crime in
the society have become a strong threat to Nigeria’s e-commerce growth and has
led to ill-reputation internationally and consequently derived some innocent
Nigerians certain opportunities abroad.
Adeta (2013) describe
the menace of internet crime to have been successful in societies like Nigeria
that is chaotic, where order is scarified and shame no longer exists. Shameful
acts are celebrated and success is redefined as wealth becomes mere important
than the means of obtaining it. Instant wealth is usually celebrated among
Nigerians populace regardless of its sources. Inrfact, it is usually equated
with smartness and never rebuked (Bola, 2009).
However, Laura (2012) opined
that internet crimes among youths has continue to be on the increase in Nigeria
and other developing countries because of weak implementation of cybercrime
laws and inadequate equipped law agencies. African countries have been
frequently criticized for dealing inadequately with internet crimes as their
law enforcement agencies are inadequately equipped in terms of personnel,
intelligence and infrastructure e.t.c.
Conclusively, defamation of image, slow production time and
add to over head cost, reduction in competitive edge of organizations are some
of the effects of internet crimes (Hasan, 2012). These effects does not only
affects the youths of the nation but also gives a bad image to the nation as a
whole. Adequate laws and law enforcement agencies must be put in place to effectively
combat this criminal act that seems to be destroying the country’s image on the
international scene.
1.2
Statement
of the Problem
Since the information
technology revolution began, law enforcement has faced the growing problem of internet
crime. These internet crimes which ranges from credit card fraud,
spoofing/phishing, identify theft to cyber stalking, and computer crimes e.t.c
are mostly crimes committed by youth. This activities by the youths has made
them ignore the African value of dignity in labour as most youth are infected
with the get rich quick syndrome.
The participation on
internet crime by the Nigeria youths has led to the falling standards of our international
reputation because everyone wants to get rich at all cost (Dafe, 2015). With
each passing day, we witness more and more alarming cases of internet crime.
The strain of these internet crimes now imposes on the Nigerian economy and
e-commerce.
Furthermore, Meke
(2012) noted that the menace of internet crime have thrived more in Nigeria in
the last twenty (20) years, thereby making the international community to
regard Nigeria as one of the most corrupt places in the world due to its
inability to tackle such crimes. This study tends to look at the youths and
internet crimes in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
1.3
Objectives
of the Study
This study hopes to
give an understanding as well as examine the youths and internet crime in Warri
South Local Government Area of Delta State. The objectives of this study
includes
1. To
determine the various internet crimes committed by youths in Warri South Local
Government Area of Delta State.
2. To
examine the causes of internet crimes among youths in Warri South Local
Government Area of Delta State.
3. To
examine the effect of internet crimes
4. To
examine the control measures of internet crimes in Warri South Local Government
Area of Delta State.
1.4
Research
Questions
To examine the youths
and internet crimes in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, the
following research questions were formulated
1. What
are the various internet crimes committed by youths in Warri South Local
Government Area of Delta Stat?
2. What
are the causes of internet crimes among youths in Warri South Local Government
Area of Delta State?
3. What
are the effects of internet crimes?
4. What
are the control measures of internet crimes among youths in Warri South Local
Government Area of Delta State?
1.5
Research
Hypothesis
The following research
hypothesis were formulated for this study
Ho1 There is no significant relationship between internet
and fraudulent activities
Ho2 There is no significant relationship between electronic funds
transfer and crime rate through the internet
Ho3 There is no significant relationship between quest for
wealth and fraudulent activities.
1.6
Significance
of the Study
The research work will
be of great importance to the students of sociology department, internet
service providers, Nigerian government officials and students in other related
fields.
The study will also
help the government to appraise the situation in the state. Consequently, the
result of this investigation will provide useful information to students who
may engage in similar research in the nearest future. It will also add to the
already existing literature in the subject matter.
1.7
Scope
of the study
The scope of this study
focuses on youths and internet crimes in Warri South Local Government Area of
Delta State. Efforts will be made in
examing the causes and effects on internet crimes among youths in Warri South
Local Government Area of Delta State.
The study will also
give a broader view on the various internet crimes committed by youths in Warri
South Local Government Area of Delta State.
1.8
Limitation
of the Study
This study was limited
by different constraints which prevented the researcher from enlarging the
scope of the study. the study was limited by different constraints such as
funds and time. The limitation of the study facilitated the use of a sample
size for the entire study. The study would have been more productive if it had
not been handicapped by founds and other resources needed for a through work to
be done.
1.9
Operational
Definition of Terms
1.
Internet:
It is the global networking of
interconnected computers that permits individual users to share information
along multiple channels.
2.
Internet
Crime: Crimes that involves the use of a
computer and networks in its execution
3.
Youth:
The found of transformation from the
dependence of childhood to adulthood independence
4.
Crime:
An illegal act for which someone can be punished
by the government
5.
Cyber
Crime: This is broadly used to describe criminal
activity in which computers or network are a tool, a target or a place of
criminal activity, a new type of white-collar crime facilitated by
technological advance.
6.
Hacking:
This is a crime which entails creaking
systems and gaining unauthorized access to data stored in them
7.
Cyber
Space: This is a collective noun for the
divergence rand of environments that have arises using the internet and the
various services
8.
Phishing:
This is just one of the frauds on the internet, trying to fool people into
parting with their money. It refers to the receipt of unsolicited emails by customers
of financial institutions, requesting them to enter their user name, password
or other personal information to access their account for some reason.
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