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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Understanding the West African cyber crime process
Author:Atta-Asamoah, AndrewsISNI
Year:2009
Periodical:African Security Review
Volume:18
Issue:4
Pages:106-114
Language:English
Geographic term:West Africa
Subjects:commercial crimes
fraud
Internet
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10246029.2009.9627562
Abstract:Unsolicited mail from West Africa originated largely in Nigeria and is therefore often called the 'Nigerian letter'. In recent times this phenomenon has assumed remarkable criminal dimensions and has a detrimental effect on the socioeconomic development of the entire region. This type of cyber crime has evolved from the mailing of unsolicited letters to more sophisticated Internet-based criminal activity supported by document falsification, identity theft and money laundering. The realization of the damaging effects of the crime has sparked debate in many theatres of national security, commerce and development in the region. In response, some countries in West Africa have started to implement initiatives aimed at curbing cyber crime. However, there is limited knowledge of the scamming process and the modus operandi of the scammers and therefore the phenomenon still flourishes and the number of reported victims across the world continues to rise. This article analyses the lifecycle of a typical West African cyber crime process to enhance an understanding of the modus operandi of the perpetrators. The conclusion reached is that despite the increasing sophistication of the crime, education of the masses, use of web-based snare programmes and international collaboration could help curb the phenomenon. Notes, ref., sum. (p. IX) [Journal abstract]
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