Influence of Psycho-social Factors on Youths’ Attitude towards Internet Fraud in Nigeria

Samuel Sunday Fasanmi; Daniel Sarah Kaburuk; Adenike Bosede Ariyo

CrossMark

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 182 (2015) 110 - 115

4th WORLD CONFERENCE ON EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCHES, WCETR-

Influence of Psycho-social Factors on Youths' Attitude towards

Internet Fraud in Nigeria

Fasanmi, Samuel Sunday a*, Kaburuk, Daniel Sarah b, Ariyo, Adenike Bosede c

aPh.D Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Department of Psychology, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. bM.Sc Clinical Psychology, Department of General and Applied Psychology, University of Jos. Nigeria. c bM.Sc Microbiology, Department of Biological Science, Federal University, Otuoke, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined the influence of psycho-social factors on youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Nigeria. Opinions of two hundred undergraduate students of Department of Computer Science, Benue State University, Makurdi were randomly sampled for this study. A battery of test such as Big-Five Personality Inventory, Need Achievement Questionnaire, and Attitude towards Internet Fraud Questionnaire were administered to the students. It was found out that sex, age, need for achievement, psychoticism, neuroticism and extraversion were significantly, independently and jointly predicted youths' attitude towards Internet fraud {F (6, 199) = 55.52, p < .01, Adjusted R2 = .622}. It was also found out that sex (P =0.134, t = 2.317, p < .05) and need for achievement (P =0.702, t =12.183, p < .05) had significant, independent prediction on youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Benue State, Nigeria. It was thus recommended that Africans should re-examine their value system; the child needs to be oriented towards his culture right from birth. The adopted curriculum of Western Education should be modified or adapted. More beneficial aspect of African culture should be introduced in the formal school system. Our yardstick for measuring affluence has to be changed to discourage our youths from exchange of money or gift for sex or prostitution. The implications of the study were discussed.

Peer-review under responsibility of Academic World Research and Education Center. Keywords: Internet fraud, Need for achievement, Personality, Sex.

1. Introduction

It goes without saying that criminal act, like a festering wound is spreading at a high decibel among the youths all over the world. Nigeria is no exception. Internet fraud, especially those involving youths in Nigeria, has grown in

* Fasanmi, Samuel Sunday. Tel.: +234-806-303-1749 E-mail address: fasanmisamuel@yahoo.com

Peer-review under responsibility of Academic World Research and Education Center. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.745

leaps and bounds, winning more souls from partner agencies, who now contribute to the successful execution of Internet fraud. In Nigeria, internet fraud has taken its toll on the youths and the international reputation of Nigeria as a nation is no doubt in jeopardy. Advanced Fee Fraud through the Internet has wrecked many homes, destroyed many businesses, and dampened the joy of many through the chains of their nefarious activities. Many undergraduates in Nigerian universities have embraced Internet fraud as a way of life. Many of them have become rich while some others have been caught by the law. Computer fraud is one of the most rapidly increasing forms of computer crime.

Computer fraud is also commonly referred to as Internet fraud. In a nutshell, Internet/online fraud is any type of fraud scheme that uses one or more components of the Internet to perpetuate a crime (Koong, Liu, & Wei, 2006). Such means may include chat rooms, message boards, or Websites. It is broadly defined as online fraud when an Internet component is used (a) to present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, (b) to conduct fraudulent transactions, or (c) to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme (U. S. Department of Justice, 2003). According to Kunz and Wilson (2004), computer fraud uses electronic resources to present fraudulent or misrepresented information as a means of deception. Computer fraud is, therefore, a subset of computer crime.

Three major developments around the globe have enabled businesses to better reach prospective consumers. First, computer ownership around the globe has exceeded 625 million (Koong et al., 2006). The United States alone has about a third of those computers (Petska, 2001). Second, advances in Internet-related technologies have enabled businesses to better communicate services and products to targeted audiences. Customers can now preview products online in multimedia formats. Prior to the new millennium, some 80 percent of all Internet use was already graphic intensive (DeVeaux, 1999; Koong et al., 2006). Third, consumers are getting savvy and comfortable buying online. Apart from the demand for information access, the increase in Internet traffic is indeed brought about by the proliferation in the demand for services and products (Theel et al., 2001). While it is true that most online companies are legitimate and honest in their business practices, Internet technology has also attracted the attention of computer technology savvy criminals. Given the many e-mail solicitations received daily and relative ease of setting up and closing up a website with transaction processing capability, consumers can easily become victims to online fraud. Attitudes are formed based on personality, knowledge or perception (Adejumo, 2009; Kalat, 1988). If people do not recognise the activity which they may be witnessing, or in which they may be participating, as 'corrupt', they are not likely to react to it as such if they do recognise the behaviour as 'corrupt', they are also unlikely to attempt to change the behaviour (Independent Commission Against Corruption, 1994).

Gbadamosi and Bello (2009) as well as Treisman (2000) earlier revealed the possibility of a variety of factors to predict attitudes to corruption. Similarly, people with high scores in Need for Achievement (N-Ach) have been found to be characterised by a tendency to seek challenges and a high degree of independence. McLelland (1981) added that the most satisfying reward of people with high N-Ach is the recognition of their achievements. However, most previous research efforts have focused on the legal, political and economic aspects of corruption and other crimes in many parts of the world. As a result, knowledge of the psychological and demographic factors attitude to Internet fraud from the perspectives of stakeholders, especially in societies with poor records in corruption remains poorly understood. The study is therefore poised to investigate personality factors and need for achievement (psychological factors), sex and socio-economic status (demographic factors) in predicting the internet fraud among youths in Nigeria.

Ige (2008) examined secondary school students' perceptions of incidences of Internet crimes among school-age children in Oyo and Ondo States, Nigeria. The study indicated that students are being initiated into Internet crime by their friends in the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Furthermore, male students are more involved than their female counterparts, a reflection of what happens worldwide. Also, senior secondary school students' involvement in Internet crime is not a function of the socioeconomic status of their parents, as students from both rich and poor homes engage in the crime. In addition to this, the involvement of students in Internet crime has no effect on their academic performance, as the students' higher level of cognitive thinking being used to scam people on the Internet is being exploited to enhance their academic standard.

Adeniran (2008) contends that in Nigeria, unlike the traditional criminal groups, both sexes are functionally involved in Internet fraud in Nigeria, with varying specialized functions. Reddick and King (2000) and Adeniran (2006) claim that the anonymity and privacy that the Internet provides for potential users has excessively enhanced

the degree of fluidity and structural complexity of the 'yahoo-boys' operations in Nigeria. Today, they get access to the Internet without leaving the home. Embezzlements, electronic frauds, fictitious sales of properties and cars are all being carried out without leaving a trace. Also, gender switching - a new sense of self that is "decentred and multiple" - has emerged among the yahoo-boys in Nigeria. This is essentially for the purpose of facilitating their nefarious activities. At a single point in time, an individual could claim to be a "beautiful lady" or a "big man" or a "celebrity", all depending on his/her immediate needs.

Arowosaiye (2008) avers that fraudsters in Nigeria and their foreign counterparts are perfect exploiter of global financial growth and ICT advancement which renders traditional geographical expression meaningless. Today, it is possible to plan a crime in one country, carry it out in another and move the proceeds from one country to another or more countries, all from a personal computer. The categories of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria are too wide to be exhausted here. However, the recent phenomenon of phishing, identity theft, credit card fraud, which are closely related forms of cyber or internet frauds and internet piracy are emerging economic crimes which need to be addressed by the existing Nigerian criminal law. Michael (2006) asserts that phishing, credit card fraud and identity fraud are not really distinct form of ICT enabled or internet economic crimes but rather another method of online fraud scheme. Using this method, fraudsters create websites that appear legitimate but in reality are scam designed to defraud or obtain information that can be used to commit further economic crimes. Evidently, there is a gap in the literature on studies concerning the organization of internet fraud among undergraduates. This is what this investigation tries to fill.

The Millennium Development Goals of government is geared towards making all and sundry computer literate. The usefulness of the usage of computer and electronic communication know no bound. In fact, it remains the hub through which other organisational developmental processes revolve around. Findings of this study will really contribute towards computer literacy awareness campaign in Nigeria especially among the youths.

This research will aid policy making in all public parastatals in Nigeria. Major government parastatals like ICPC and EFCC will find the outcome of this research very useful in fighting the scourge of corruption in Nigeria.

International donor agencies such as World Bank, DFID, WHO etc that ought to assist some programmes in Nigeria but has been hesitant due to bad image created by Internet fraudulent activities will find the outcome of this research useful and enriching. Government at all levels in Nigeria will find the outcome of this research very useful in their research and planning units. It is high time government double their efforts in combating internet fraud in Nigeria. This study will provide a background for psychological approach in combating such crime among youths in Nigeria.

The study hypothesis stated that that age, sex, need for achievement, and personality factors will significantly, independently and jointly predict youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Benue State.

2. Method

2.1. Design

This study used ex-post facto design. This design was employed because participants were not subjected to any direct manipulation by the researcher, but the independent variables had their influences prior to the commencement of the study

2.2. Participants and sample

The population of this study consists of undergraduate students of Department of Computer Sciences, Benue State University in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. This consists of one hundred and forty male students and sixty female students. Purposive sample was used in selecting the Department of Computer Sciences with the knowledge that all the sampled students are computer literate and also had knowledge of Internet. Random sampling technique was also used in selecting the participants that eventually participated in the study.

2.3. Instrument

The Big Five Personality Inventory was designed by John, Donative & Kentle (1991) to measure personality. The 44-item inventory is one of the six psychological instruments which assess personality from a five-dimension perspective. The essence of the perspective is that personality characteristics can be resolved into five broad dimensions which are distinct from one another. The five dimensions of the sub-scales are: Extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness. Direct scoring is used for all the items. The scale is being scored by adding together the value of the numbers shaded to obtain the respondents' score on each subscale. All the reversed items on each subscale attracted opposite coding. The sub-scales were scored separately. The scale also has a Cronbach alpha score of .80. Also, the author reported a convergent validity of .75 and .85 with the big five instruments authored by Costa & McCrae (1992) and Goldberg (1989) respectively.

Ashford & Deary (1980) developed the need for achievement scale based on the work of Greenhalgh and Rosenblatt (1984). The 28-item scale consists of questions intended to capture an individual's perceived need for achievement. The items pose questions relating to general need of individuals. Every item has a score of 1 (Yes) and 0 (No). High score on the scale indicate a high perceived need for achievement, where low score would represent a low perceived need for achievement. An alpha coefficient of .75 has been reported by Ashford et al (1989) for this scale. The authors also reported a concurrent validity of 0.68 by correlating the scale with self efficacy scale in a study among 405 American politicians. An overall norm of 62 was reported in the study

A self-design instrument was used in measuring the attitude towards internet fraud among youths. The 12- item questionnaire was generated through related empirical studies and literatures. The items were structured in a Likert format ranging from very often (5) to never (1). High score on the scale denotes high disposition towards internet fraud while lower score denotes low high disposition towards internet fraud. Content validity of the scale were ascertained by the researcher and vetted by the selected experts in the Department of Psychology and Educational Foundation at the Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. 17 items were initially generated and compiled to form a questionnaire. 30 questionnaires were distributed to lecturers in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Education to determine the suitability of each of the item. Items that were not relevant were removed. A test retest reliability score of the scale among (40) undergraduates of Federal University of Agricultural Sciences, Makurdi, Nigeria indicated a very high reliability value of 0.87. For this study, a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79 was however recorded. It could also be said that male undergraduates students (mean= 48) are more favourably disposed in their attitude than female undergraduate students (mean= 34.00). Thus the scale is reliable. Thus, the scale is valid.

2.4. Procedure

The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to the respondents. Most of the respondents were found in their various offices. Questionnaires were distributed to the Directors of the sampled ministries based on prior appointment with them. The questionnaires were distributed among the previously identified direct co-workers; anonymity and confidentiality were also ensured in their application and collection.

The researcher also personally retrieved the questionnaires from the respondents, and thanked them for their participation. In all, two hundred and fifteen questionnaires were administered to the respondents. By the time of retrieval; only two hundred were retrieved due to inappropriate fillings of some of the questionnaires and loss of some questionnaires.

3. Results

Table 1: Multiple regression summary table showing effect of psychosocial factors on attitude youth involvement in Internet fraud

Variable

nAchieve

Psychotism

Extraversion

12.183

> . 05

Samuel Sunday Fasanmi et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 182 (2015) 110 - 115 Neuroticism -.009 -.181 > .05

Result in Table 1 revealed that sex, age, personality factors and need for achievement would significantly and jointly predict youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Benue State{F (6, 199) = 55.52, p < .01, Adjusted R2 = .622}. The results also revealed that age (P =0.02, t = -0.512; p > .05), psychoticism (P = -0.003, t = -0.057; p > .05), Neuroticism (P =-0.009, t = -0.181; p >.05), and extraversion (P =-0.007, t = -0.181; p >.05) did not respectively significantly independently predict youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Benue State. Meanwhile, sex (P =0.134, t = 2.317, p < .05) and need for achievement (P =0.702, t =12.183, p < .05) had significant, independent prediction on youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Benue State, Nigeria.

The table further revealed that 62% of the variance in perceived attitude towards internet fraud among the youths was accounted for by the identified independent variables. Therefore, it can be said that hypothesis the hypothesis which stated that age, sex, need for achievement, and personality factors will significantly, independently and jointly predict attitude towards internet fraud among the youths in Benue State was partially significantly supported by the study's findings.

4. Discussion

Results from hypothesis one revealed that need for achievement had significant independent prediction on youths' attitude towards Internet fraud in Benue State. This is in line with the findings of Gbadamosi & Bello (2009) as well as Treisman (2000) who revealed the possibility of a variety of factors to predict attitudes to corruption. Similarly, people with high scores in Need for Achievement (N-Ach) have been found to be characterised by a tendency to seek challenges and a high degree of independence. McLelland (1981) added that the most satisfying reward of people with high N-Ach is the recognition of their achievements. The findings of this results is not unconnected with the changing in the value system of Nigerians. Achievement in terms of material wealth has taken a centre stage in every facet of our lives. A society where need for achievement significantly predicts youth involvement in Internet fraud needs to do value re-orientation, at least. to safe her existence.

Ige (2008) examined secondary school students' perceptions of incidences of Internet crimes among school-age children in Oyo and Ondo States, Nigeria. The study indicated that students are being initiated into Internet crime by their friends in the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Furthermore, male students are more involved than their female counterparts, a reflection of what happens worldwide. Also, senior secondary school students' involvement in Internet crime is not a function of the socioeconomic status of their parents, as students from both rich and poor homes engage in the crime. In addition to this, the involvement of students in Internet crime has no effect on their academic performance, as the students' higher level of cognitive thinking being used to scam people on the Internet is being exploited to enhance their academic standard.

Adeniran (2008) contends that in Nigeria, unlike the traditional criminal groups, both sexes are functionally involved in Internet fraud in Nigeria, with varying specialized functions. Reddick and King (2000) and Adeniran (2006) claim that the anonymity and privacy that the Internet provides for potential users has excessively enhanced the degree of fluidity and structural complexity of the 'yahoo-boys' operations in Nigeria. Today, they get access to the Internet without leaving the home. Embezzlements, electronic frauds, fictitious sales of properties and cars are all being carried out without leaving a trace. Also, gender switching - a new sense of self that is "decentred and multiple" - has emerged among the yahoo-boys in Nigeria. This is essentially for the purpose of facilitating their nefarious activities. At a single point in time, an individual could claim to be a "beautiful lady" or a "big man" or a "celebrity", all depending on his/her immediate needs. This finding is in line with (Obrien, 1999) who found out that men and women have different cultural orientations that may influence the way in which they define electronic communication situations. "Gender characteristics are a primary means by which we sort and define self and others. Sex attributes provide basic information about how to conduct interactions with others and how to organize social reality"

5. Discussion

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that there is significant effect of need for achievement on involvement of youths in Internet fraud in Benue State, Nigeria. Also, there is significant effect of gender on involvement of youths in Internet fraud in Benue State. However, neuroticism and psychoticism did not have significant effect on involvement of youths in Internet fraud in Benue State. However, sex, age, personality factors and need for achievement would significantly and jointly predict involvement of youths in Internet fraud in Benue State. It was recommended that:

1. Government should encourage public education on positive Internet usage through the use of media that is, print and electronics.

2. Africans should re-examine their value system; the child needs to be oriented towards his culture right from birth. The circular of western education should be modified or adapted. More beneficial aspect of African culture should be introduced in the formal school system. Our yardstick for measuring affluence has to be changed to discourage our youths from exchange of money or gift for sex or prostitution. The Nigerian undergraduate students need to be taught that integrity is the bedrock of success.

3. Policies and programmes that can transform the youth's life or reduce risk behaviours of students should be put in place. This involves accurate identification, understanding and assessment of people's integrity culture from time to time. These programmes should be based on assessed rather than the imagined circumstance.

4. Religious teaching which encourages appropriate behaviour should be intensified. The church and mosque leaders have significant roles to play in this direction. Rather than preaching on blessings alone, moral values of their members should be of importance to them too.

5. Future research with a greater number of participants may improve our understanding about the relationships between personality variables and relationship variables. In particular, more participants for relationship stability data would be a tremendous improvement over the current study. In addition, more information may be gained from future researchers employing more heterogeneous samples with respect to age, ethnicity, and marital status.

References

Adeniran, A. I. (2008). The Internet and Emergence of Yahoo-boys sub-Culture in Nigeria. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 2(2), 368-381

Arowosaiye, Y. I. (2008). The New Phenomenon of Phishing, Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft, Internet Piracy and Nigeria Criminal Law. 3rd Conference on Law and Technology, Faculty of Law, University Kebangsaan, Malaysia and Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania, Australia. November, 11 & 12 2008

Burns, R. G., Whitworth, K. H., & Thompson, C. Y. (2004) Assessing Law Enforcement Preparedness to Address Internet Fraud. Journal of Criminal Justice, 32, 477- 493

Costa, P. T., Jr., & McCrae R. R. (1992). The NEO Personality Inventory: Using the five-factor model in counseling. Journal of Counseling and

Development, 69. 367-372. DeVeaux, P. (1999). Cache me if you can. America's Network, 103, 34-36.

Ige, O. A. (2008). Secondary School Students' Perceptions of Incidences of Internet Crimes among School Age Children in Oyo and Ondo States,

Nigeria. A Master dissertation in the Department of Teacher Education, University of Ibadan. Katyal, K. N. (2003). Digital Architecture as Crime Control. The Yale Law Journal, 112(8), 2261-2289.

Koong, K. S., Liu, L. C., & Wei, J. (2006). An Examination of Internet Fraud Occurrences. Retrieved on 15th July 2012 from International

Journal of Cyber Criminology Vol 5 Issue 2 July - December 2011 Michael, P. (2006). Nigeria Related Financial Crimes and Its links with Britain: An Africa Programme Report. Retrieved on 15th July 2012 from

http://www.chathanhouse.org.uk /pdf/research/ africa/nigeria1106pdf. Goldberg, L. R. (1989) Standard markers of Big Five factor structure. Paper presented at the First International Workshop on Personality

Language, Groningen, The Neitherlands. Petska, K. (2001). 625 Million Computers in Use Year Ended 2001. Retrieved on 20th July 2014 from http://www.c-i-a.com/200107cu.html. Reddick, R., & King, E. (2000). The Online Student: Making the Grade on the Internet: Forth Worth: Harcourt Brace. Theel, T., Stephens, G., & Easland, M. (2001). Demand it. Satellite Communications, 24, 26-31.

U. S. Department of Justice (2003). Internet Fraud. Retrieved on 18th July 2014 from http://www.internetfraud.usdoj.gov

Influence of Psycho-social Factors on Youths’ Attitude towards Internet Fraud in Nigeria Academic research paper on "Law"

Abstract of research paper on Law, author of scientific article — Samuel Sunday Fasanmi, Daniel Sarah Kaburuk, Adenike Bosede Ariyo

Similar topics of scientific paper in Law , author of scholarly article — Samuel Sunday Fasanmi, Daniel Sarah Kaburuk, Adenike Bosede Ariyo

Academic research paper on topic "Influence of Psycho-social Factors on Youths’ Attitude towards Internet Fraud in Nigeria"