Perception Analysis of Covid-19 Pandemic, Cybercrime and Well-Being of Online Fraud Victims in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between Covid-19 pandemic, increase in cybercrime and well-being of online fraud victims in Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study (i) examines the most prevalent cybercrime experienced by individuals during Covid-19 outbreak (ii) examine the most vulnerable group of people to cybercrime (iii) examine vulnerability factors (iv) determine the consequences of cybercrime on the well-being of victims in Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria. The study is descriptive in nature and adopts the mixed methods of data collection. Using qualitative and quantitative research approaches, a sample of 622respondents is drawn from Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopts multi-stage sampling technique, which consist of purposive, simple random and stratified random sampling techniques to reach the respondents. Findings from the study reveals that during Covid-19 outbreak there is an increase in cybercrime as a result of increased reliance on the internet for social interaction. It is observed that phishing and hacking are among the two prominent types of cybercrime used in attacking victims in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study recommends that issues of cyber security should be taking seriously by government and other stakeholders in the communication industry.