OPINION: CYBERCRIME IN NIGERIA

  CYBERCRIME IN NIGERIA

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines crime as an illegal act for which someone can be punished by the government. Cybercrime is defined as the criminal activity (such as theft, fraud or distribution of child pornography) committed using a computer especially to illegally access, transmit or manipulate data. 

However, just as the cyberspace is continually evolving, so is the definition of cybercrime. Often cybercrime is thought to be limited to money-linked criminal activities. However, from the definition it is clear that cybercrime is not limited to illegal involvement with money. 

Cybercrime in Nigeria has its roots in the '419’ scam which originated in the 1990s as the oil-based economy of Nigeria went downward. Just like today with cybercrime, it was mostly perpetuated by young(usually unemployed) people. 

The introduction of internet facilities in the late 1990s and the steady improvements since have allowed for the '419’ scams to become electronic and more diverse.

Cybercrime, be it fraud(money or otherwise), identity theft, spamming, plagiarism, phishing or whatever form it might take ultimately hurts the victims. Sometimes the losses suffered are not so tangible and other times they are quite devastating. One would then wonder why people would want to cause such harm to their fellow human beings.

WHY CYBEDCRIME?

Cybercrime in Nigeria is said to have emanated from different roots. Among these  are a few to mention.

UNEMPLOYMENT:

Unemployment is one of the major causes of cybercrime in Nigeria. The average Nigerian is not unaware of the employment situation in the country. Every year there is an increased number of youths who realize that they are at the age where they must fend for themselves. However, there are more qualified people who are willing to work than there are opportunities to be had. Of course, "where there is a will, there is a way".  If these people were to set their minds to seek honest means of employment, they would succeed in doing so ; even if with a little endurance of hardships at the beginning. However, it is in the human nature to often seek the path of least resistance. So, rather than suffer the inconveniences that hardwork would bring, they instead would choose to rob other individuals of their hard earned money. Also, as the saying goes, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” . Since young unemployed Nigerians have a lot of free time, they become susceptible and are easily lured into these vices. 

THE GET RICH QUICK SYNDROME:

The get rich quick syndrome easily described as greed is another leading cause of cybercrime in Nigeria. The best examples of this are the Ponzi schemes that have so taken over the Nigerian society like a wild plague in recent times. Several youths are in such a haste to live the good life and enjoy the luxuries that hardwork and diligence would bring. This drives them to create so-called investment platforms where a large number of people lose their money. Initially, it goes well and the people get the returns on their investments. However, once individuals have gained enough confidence to be more daring and invest larger sums, these platforms abruptly shut down and the people who created them make tidy profits. From "MMM" to the recent "Racksterli" which was even promoted by a popular celebrity and several others who we believe are well- to-do, makes it is clear that greed is a great motivator for perpetuating cybercrimes. 

POVERTY:

For a nation held in the throes of poverty, it is no wonder that the majority of cybercrimes are of the financial nature. However, other forms still prevail. Individuals who are too lazy to research and use their initiative engage in plagiarism. Many people make use of 'cheat codes' to illegally obtain airtime and data from network providers. 

Becoming increasingly rampant as well is cyberpornography.

It would seem that almost every youth in Nigeria is engaged in cybercrime in one form or another. What then can be done to stop or at least reduce this evil we find ourselves in? 

The two major solutions to cybercrime in Nigeria are; the provision of employment for the people and the establishment of strict laws that do not encourage Cybercrime. The second is however greatly dependent on the first. 

One can hardly blame individuals for doing what they can to survive especially, when the government and society they depend on, continuously fail them. The government and even established individuals in the society should improve in their efforts to providing employment opportunities for the young people. When the youths are profitably employed, the chances of them engaging in cybecrime would be greatly reduced. 

With employment made available, cybercrime and other forms of crime sequel to cybercrime in the society will be brought down to the bearest minimum. Individuals must also develop their characters and sustain the integrity to not engage in such shameful acts. 

The implementation of these solutions and the results will not happen overnight. Therefore, everyone is enjoined to play their roles well, in good time, cybercrime will no longer be the source of pain and the disgrace it is today to individuals, families and the nation as a whole.