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2 AFJCLJ 1 (2017)

handle is hein.journals/afcjlocil2 and id is 1 raw text is: AFJCLJ 2 (2017) CONCEPTUALIZING CYBER SCAM IN NIGERIA* Abstract Cyber scam is a white-collar crime committed by the use or manipulation of non-conventional tools such as phones, faxes, computers and other internet-enabled information technology devices within cyberspace. It thrives on the vulnerability of the victim and the witty deception of the cyber scammer. Cyber scam is unlike conventional crimes, and thrives on the violent and merciless disposition of the criminal which renders the victim helpless and in desperate fear for his life or safety of his family, as the case may be. This socio-legal and doctrinal research conceptualizes cyber scam within the broad family of cybercrimes. It explores certain forms of cyber scam as well as common modus operandi of cyber scammer in Nigeria. It also highlights some of the reasons why people indulge in cyber scam in Nigeria as well as core vulnerabilities of cyber scam victims. The research is primarily expository as it offers imperative elementary knowledge for safeguarding potential victims of cyber scam in Nigeria and beyond. Keywords: Cyber scam, Conceptualization, Security, Crime, Nigeria. 1. Introduction Cyber scam belongs to the family of cybercrimes which involves deceit via the use of phones, faxes, computers, ICT and other internet-enabled devices online, to dupe greedy, careless, unfaithful and emotionally vulnerable persons of huge sums of money and/or valuables. Suffice to say, that the growth and advancement in information technology facilitate cyber scam and allied cybercrime and cause incidental threats1 in Nigeria and beyond.2 This paper conceptualizes cybercrime and explains the initial formats and proposals which are sent to the potential cyber scam victim in order to gain his confidence, which is vital for making him part with money and valuables whenever the need arises in the course of his victimization. The study makes bold to posit that in appropriate cases, most victims of cyber scam are so easily deceived because they deliberately circumvent basic e- commerce procedures so as to lubricate their inert greed for disproportionate size of reward, that is, *Aloy OJILERE, LL.B (Hons.), BL, LL.M, PhD, is an academic in the Faculty of Law, Imo state University, Owerri, Nigeria. He teaches Human Rights, Gender Studies and Jurisprudence. His research interest is in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and safe e-commerce. He is also grounded in the judicialization, globalization and constitutionalization of fundamental rights in Nigeria, India and South Africa. Email: aloyojilere@yahoo.com; aloyojilere@imsu.edu.ng. Phone: +2348033277550; *Prof. USF NNABUE, Ph.D, is a Professor of Jurisprudence and an expert in International Economic Law. He is the pioneer Dean of Law, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. Email: usfnnabue@yahoo.com.; and *Ikenga K. E. ORAEGBUNAM, PhD (Law), PhD (Phil.), PhD (Rel. & Soc.), Med, B.Th., BL, Ag Head, Department of International Law & Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. E-mail: ik.oraegbunam@unizik.edu.ng. Phone: +2348034711211. A. Kigerl, 'Routine activity theory and the determinants of high cybercrime countries', Social Science Computer Review, 30(4), 2012, 470-486. 2 N. Kshetri, 'Pattern of global cyber war and crime: A conceptual framewor', Journal of International Management, 11(4), 2005, 541-562. Page 1 1

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