EFFECT OF CYBERCRIME IN NIGERIA ECONOMY
(A CASE STUDY OF BENIN METROPOLIS)
CHAPTER ONE:
 INTRODUCTION
1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
         Computer terrorism is a criminal activity involving an information technology infrastructure; including illegal access or unauthorized access; illegal interception that involves technical means of non public transmissions of computer data, from or within a computer system; data interference that include unauthorized damaging, detection, deterioration, alteration or suppression of computer data; systems interference that is interfering with the functioning of a computer system by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering of suppressing computer data; misuse of devices, forgery and electronic fraud.  
The advent of digital technology gave to modern communication hard-wares, internet service and powerful computer systems to process data. Hence, cyberspace has provided a safe haven for internet platform, which has created geometric growth and accelerated windows of opportunities of businesses and the removal of economic barriers hitherto faced by nations of the world.  People from diverse areas of human endeavor can now freely access and utilize the advantages offered by internet platform.  
However, information technology revolution associated with the internet in Nigeria has brought about a new wave of crime.  A very few criminally minded youth in
the country, who are mostly not educated or graduates, are stealing and committing atrocity through the aid of the internet online business transactions.  The internet online business services, which ordinarily suppose to be a blessing as it exposes one to a lot of opportunities in various field of life is fast becoming a source of discomfort and worry due to the atrocity being perpetrated through it.  Cybercrime has come as a surprise and a strange phenomenon that for now live with us in Nigeria.  Computer crimes encompass a broad range of potentially illegal activities.  Generally, it may be categorize into two major groups; crimes that target computer networks or devices directly; crimes facilitated by computer networks or devices, the primary target of which is independent of the computer network or device.  Nigeria was recently identified as the innocent and ignorance passive player in cyberspace knowledge Olympiad.  This has once again brought up the pertinent questions of the safety and security of Nigeria’s national cyberspace.  This paper therefore addresses, from my investigation the aspect that deals with cybercrime based on false pretence or impersonation.
    An area that is likely to be fertile to the cyber criminals also called “yahoo boys” is the stock exchange market.   Proper mechanism needs to be put in place to control the activities of these criminals in this area, otherwise Nigeria economy may be brought down, particularly with trading on the country’s stock exchange market going online.  Without proper security methods in place, it is just like building a house without locks. Any person can gain access.  The category and nature of cybercrime in Nigeria is endless.  Cybercrime is a global phenomenon that is threatening the economy of nations.  It is a major threat in India as it is in Nigeria.           
         Technology has integrated the nations and the world has become a global village.  The economy of most nations in the world is accessible through the aid of electronic via the internet.  Since the Electronic market is opened to everybody it also includes eyedroppers and criminals.  False pretence, finds a fertile ground in this situation.  Some perpetrators of this crime usually referred to in Nigeria as “yahoo boys” are taking advantage of e-commerce system available on the internet to defraud unsuspected victims who are mostly foreigners thousand and sometimes millions of dollars.  They fraudulently represent themselves as having particular goods to sell or that they are involved in a loan scheme project.  They may even pose to have financial institution where money can be loaned out to prospective investors.  In this regard, so many persons have become a duped.  Merchants who take orders from merchandise on credit are also facing mounting losses from rip offs.  My investigation reveals that “yahoo boys” also take undue advantage of some people that are looking for spouse through the aid of internet.  These criminally minded individuals usually have discussion with their victims via the internet.  These criminals pretend to be interested and loving.  And before the victim realizes what is happening, the criminals would have succeeded in cajoling them to send some dollars to enable them facilitate traveling documents.  These criminals falsify document and tell all sort of lies to get money from their victims, when their victims begin to suspect foul play, they will immediately stop interacting with them and shift their target elsewhere.  Cybercrime in Nigeria is difficult to prove as it lacks the traditional paper audit trail, which requires the knowledge of specialists in computer technology and internet protocols.  Specific computer crimes are Spam, Fraud, Obscene or offensive content, Harassment, Drug trafficking and Cyber terrorism.
1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
    In recent times, the influence and increase in the advancement of information and communication technology in the society seems to have brought about sustainable development.  This has impacted positively on the socio-economic and educational development in the country.  Consequently, it has also left a negative socio-economic consequence as regard to development of the country.  The nation’s image has suffered as a result of the nefarious activities of some Nigerians.  The problem of unemployment in the country has been one of the major factors responsible for many individuals involvement in the cybercrime.
    Another major factor responsible for the involvement of people in cybercrime is the poverty level of people in the country.
    Also a factor that leads to individual involvement in cyber crime is that of peer pressure, most crimes committed in this modern age is as a result of peer’s influence.  As the adage goes, birds of a feather flock together.
    Finally, bad governance cannot be strike out as a factor responsible for individuals involving cybercrime in Nigeria.
1.3     RESEARCH QUESTION
 1.       Does the fear of poverty increase youth involvement in crime in Nigeria?  
 2.      Does individuals whose peers indulge in cybercrime in no time become Cyber criminal themselves in Nigeria?   
 3.       Does intimidation by wealthy peers make youth indulge in cybercrime in Nigeria?  
 4.       Does peers who are cyber criminals encourage other peers involvement in      Cybercrime in Nigeria?
5.      Does government take terror threat online seriously in Nigeria?
6.      Are people being persecuted for breaking cybercrimes law in Nigeria?
7.    Would you make terror threat through the internet to earn money?      
8.    Would you involve in cyber crime if you were unemployed in Nigeria?  
1.4    OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
    This study is to assess the factors responsible for individuals’ involvements in cybercrimes in Benin metropolis, in doing that the following specific objectives would be realized.
To determine whether unemployment is responsible for cybercrime in Nigeria
To determine if bad governance is responsible for cybercrime in Nigeria
To determine if peers pressure are responsible for cybercrime in Nigeria
           To determine whether poverty level in the country is responsible for
            Cyber crime in Nigeria
1.5    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
    The importance of this study is to understand the reasons for individual’s involvement in cybercrime in Benin metropolis, Egor local government area and also to know the best preventive measures of such crime.  This study would be relevant to individuals, media, organizations, the governments, public and private organizations in formulating reliable policies aimed at improving the standard of living of many Nigerian citizens.
1.6    DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
    All the concepts below have been defined as used in this study to avoid ambiguities and for clarity.
Factors:    Reasons, circumstances, facts influence that contributed to a result.
Cybercrime:    Refers to criminal conduct occurring in cyberspace in a computerized network environment as those on the internet and World Wide Web.
Yahoo boy:    Criminals involve in advance fee fraud schemes (419) in Nigeria