ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cybercrime can be referred to as the unlawful utilization of any communication device, such as computers or phones, to engage in or aid the commission of any illicit activity. It encompasses activities such as hacking, unlawfully accessing bank accounts, assuming false identities, engaging in phishing and spoofing, reading emails without authorization, sharing explicit content, engaging in online harassment, distributing computer viruses, copying content without permission, exploring phone systems for vulnerabilities, and obtaining unapproved data through downloads, among other actions. In Nigeria, individuals engaging in cybercrime, often known as 'yahoo yahoo boys,' exploit the internet's e-commerce infrastructure to deceitfully swindle foreign victims out of significant sums, ranging from thousands to even millions of dollars. In recent times, there has been an upsurge in the number of students in tertiary institutions engaging in these aforementioned cybercrimes.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the knowledge, prevalence and perceived effects and contributory factors of cybercrime among with a view to providing possible solutions to the menace of cybercrime
METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population comprised undergraduate students in the University of Benin and Benson Idahosa University, both in Benin City, Edi state. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select participants and data was collected using a pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 and level of statistical significance was set at 0.05
RESULTS: Five hundred and nineteen respondents participated in this study. Majority, 353 (68.0%) of the respondents were female, and 197 (38.0%) respondents were from the department of Medicine with the highest proportion, 142 (27.4%) of students being in 200 level. More than half, 267 (51.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge of cybercrime. Significant associations were observed between knowledge of cybercrime and the department, level, marital status, average daily spend, work status and percentage of total income from main income. Predictors of knowledge of cybercrime include marital status, main source of income, average daily spend and percentage of total income from main income. Nearly two fifths, 207 (39.9%) of the respondents had been victims of cybercrime, while 32 (6.2%) had been involved in cybercrime. Overall prevalence of cybercrime was 60.1% (312). Perceived causes of cybercrime among the respondents included: Lack of Security measures by individuals, 103 (19.8%), Insufficient security features on online platforms, 129 (24.9%), poverty, 295 (56.8%), unemployment, 309 (59.5%), desire for quick wealth, 330 (63.6%) while perceived effects of cybercrime stated by the respondents included financial losses, 249 (48.0%), damage to reputation, 248 (47.8%), psychological impact e.g Fear, anxiety, depression, PTSD, 235 (43.5%), loss of life e.g. from suicide, murder, maiming, 223 (43.0%), poor academic performance of student involved in cybercrime, 186 (35.8%), expulsion/dropping out of school, 196 (37.8%) and imprisonment/jailing of culprits, 197 (38.0%).
