REVIEW OF SOCIO-GEOGRAPHIC DRIVERS OF INTERNET FRAUD (YAHOO YAHOO) AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Internet fraud among Nigerian youths has grown from being a small fraction of the cybercrime that occurred in the early 2000s and has now become a national issue with critical consequences for development. Starting with email scams, internet fraud has now turned into an illicit but conspicuous way of making money, and has an underlying culture of flaunting wealth, influencing peers and legitimizing fraud as a means to social status. This way of life made popular through music and social media is legitimizing Yahoo Yahoo, and causing an erosion of moral values in Nigeria’s youth population. This study examines how internet fraud culture impacts development and how it erodes the values of honesty, integrity, and accountability which support good governance, a productive economy and stable society. High levels of internet fraud in Nigeria also erode the country’s image in international digital commerce, online freelancing and diplomacy because trust and honesty are of utmost value in these fields. In the most extreme cases, there have been links between internet fraud and demonic and other antisocial behaviors. These make the consequences of fraudulence extend well beyond the digital sphere. It was noted that there are no strategic coordinated efforts amongst various institutions to prevent, control and manage internet fraud. This calls for a multi-disciplinary approach to developing digital ethics, civic education, entrepreneurship and employment of Nigerian youths, as well as promoting and fostering an innovative economy and access to financing. Integrity and legitimate success should replace the current culture of fraud among governmental, educational, religious and artistic organizations in Nigeria