Abstract:
Internet fraud among emerging adults all over the world has assumed an alarming dimension. It has become so worrisome that it has gained prominence in social discourse. The prevalence rate of internet fraud among emerging adults in different parts of the world gives room for concern. This study therefore investigated the psycho-social factors as predictors of internet fraud among emerging adults in Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. Three hundred participants were selected from emerging adults in Nigeria through simple random sampling. Their ages ranged between 12 and 29 years with mean of 17.38 years (SD= 9.90). Three research questions were tested using multiple regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings revealed that there was significant positive relationships between peer pressure (r= .726; p<.05), self-concept(r= .907; p<.05), societal values(r= .679; p<.05), parenting styles(r= .797; p<.05) and internet fraud among the participants. The four variables jointly accounted for 77.3% variance in predicting internet fraud among the participants. The independent variables made positive relative contribution to internet fraud in the following order: self-concept made the most significant contribution (Beta= .987; t= 5.498; p<0.05) while peer pressure (Beta= .144; t= 2.592; p<0.05); societal values (Beta= .137; t= 1.977; p<0.05); parenting styles (Beta= .085; t= 1.205; p>0.05) had no significant relative contribution to incidences of Internet fraud among emerging adults in Nigeria. Based on this finding, it is recommended that society should not place much importance on materialism rather it should encourage and foster positive and socially acceptable behaviour; hard work etc. rather that glorifying people who are making money through dubious means. Education is the most vital weapon for literacy, as such seminars and workshops should be organized from time to time with emphasis on cyber safety so that the individuals will learn to keep their personal information safe and youths will flee internet fraud/cybercrime. For government agencies, law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies and security agencies to fight curb internet fraud, it is recommended that there is need for them to understand both the technology and the individuals who engaged in this criminal act.
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