Market Dealers or Perpetrators of Cybercrimes? Investigating Cybercriminal Activities in Information Technology Markets in Nigeria

Volume 8 Issue 1 December - February 2019

Research Paper

Market Dealers or Perpetrators of Cybercrimes? Investigating Cybercriminal Activities in Information Technology Markets in Nigeria

Oluwafemi Osho*, Benjamin M. O. Eneche**

*-**Department of Cyber Security Science, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.

Osho, O., Eneche, B. M. O. (2019) Market Dealers or Perpetrators of Cybercrimes? Investigating Cybercriminal Activities in Information Technology Markets in Nigeria, 8(1), 11-19. https://doi.org/10.26634/jit.8.1.15715

Abstract

This study explores the roles of IT markets in the promotion and proliferation of cybercrimes in Nigeria. Essentially, it seeks to identify cybercriminal activities perpetrated within the physical confines of markets of Information Technology (IT) products and services, assess the perception of dealers in these markets of the illegality of the cybercrimes, and identify factors that influence perpetrators at the markets to engage in criminal behaviours. Considering a mini size IT market in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, it adopts the use of observation, disguised participation, questionnaire, and unstructured interview to collate relevant data. Findings reveal that content- and copyright-related offences, including illegal activities, such as sale of pre-registered SIM cards, cracking of Internet modems and distribution of cracked modems, and distribution of pirated software, games, music and videos, were perpetrated at the market. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed the identified cybercrimes were illegal. The factors that influenced perpetrators centered primarily on economic gains.