PERCEPTION OF INTERNET FRAUD AMONG YOUTHS: ASTUDY OF DELSU UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

ABSTRACTThis study examines the perception of internet fraud among Nigerian youths, with a specificfocus on undergraduate students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. It exploresstudents’ level of awareness, indulgence, influences on their indulgence, perception, and thesocio-economic implications of internet fraud in their academic and social environment. Theresearch adopted a descriptive survey design, on the population size of 26,000 undergraduates,and a sample size of 394, using an online questionnaire distributed through purposive andsnowball sampling methods, deriving 377 valid responses which was analyzed using frequencytables, percentages, and mean scores. Findings reveal a high level of awareness among students,with internet fraud (popularly known as Yahoo) being normalized in some student circles. Manystudents view it as a practical response to economic hardship, unemployment, and peer pressure,even while acknowledging its moral and legal wrongness within themselves. The study alsoshows that internet fraud has become deeply embedded in student culture, with many studentsconnected to fraudsters, approached for recruitment, or involved themselves. Its impact includesinflation in both the local and national economy, a damaged national reputation, strainedsocietal values amongst others. Based on these findings, the study recommends that theNigerian government adopt stronger socio-economic reforms such as reducing inflation,creating employment, and improving youth access to sustainable opportunities. Nationwidesensitization campaigns should also be launched to reshape public perception and discouragethe glorification of fraud. Furthermore, educational institutions should reintroduce moral andcivic education, while security agencies and the legal system must be empowered to detect and prosecute internet fraud more effectively.