By Ibrahim Aliyu Gwaram
(Rassbow Design)
The introduction of computer and internet into financial transaction facilitates the speedy growth and development of business transaction globally. This is because computer and internet can rapidly change the world of commerce and banking leading to economic development of any nation, both at national and international level. Specifically, internet can make business grow faster and more efficient as it allows people to provide more personalized services to the user or customer. This however, makes it possible for financial services providers to have develop new strategies of adding value and distinguish themselves from the former way of commoditized financial transactions. The use of computers also has assisted many organizations for keeping the records of their customers. Both financial and nonfinancial organizations’, particularly banks are using computers for maintaining accounts and managing financial transactions. It helps the banks in providing online facility to enable the customers to check their account balance through the use of internet. Many organizations through computer and internet can make financial transaction online very easily and quickly with computerized systems as it facilitates payment of bills, making withdrawal without going through long queue at bank's counter, managing their home budgets and other financial transactions.
In spite of these numerous advantages of the use of computer and internet on financial transactions, it has posed danger to businesses, individuals, groups, institutions and states as criminals use the computer for negative activities. Generally, Cyber fraud are the work of skilled technicians who apply the knowledge of information and communication technology (ICT) through computer and internet for criminal activity. This means it is the handwork of those who are believed to be terrestrial or conventional fraudsters who metamorphosed into harness digital technology in furtherance of criminal objectives. It can be committed by individual, groups, organizations and state. This to a great extent poses challenges to the law enforcement agencies in terms of investigation and prosecution. Cyber criminals around the world hook on the Net to penetrate into the financial transactions of businesses to the detriment of their customers, and this poses danger on the investment or wealth of individual, group, institution and economy of a nation as a whole. Consequently, cyber fraud also involves the use of computer and internet facility and as such, the law enforcement agencies in dealing with these types of criminal cases need to have the basic knowledge of computer forensics education, digital forensics education, digital investigation education, accounting education and law enforcement knowledge. Therefore, the study examines the three agencies (EFCC, ICPC and Antifraud section of Nigeria Police Force) in Nigeria who are charged with the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting all forms of frauds including cyber fraud to determine whether they have the requisite knowledge and skills in order to overcome the challenges posed to individual, group, institution and government by cyber fraudster in Nigeria. The recent increase of financial crimes both national and international community using information and communication technology (ICT) facilities such as computers and internet in the perpetration of criminal activities like credit card frauds, ATM frauds, phishing, identity theft, spamming and a host of other crimes has attributed to the view that ICT is contributing to all forms of cyber fraud in both financial and non-financial sector of the Nigerian economy. This has challenged the intelligence, competence, knowledge, skills and abilities of the law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. In line with the objectives of this study, the following hypotheses have been formulated in null form: Computer forensic knowledge has no significant impact on the cyber fraud investigation in Nigeria. Digital forensic knowledge has no significant influence on the cyber fraud investigation in Nigeria. Accounting knowledge has no significant impact on the cyber fraud investigation in Nigeria. Law enforcement education has no significant influence on the cyber fraud investigation in Nigeria. Attending workshops, seminars and conferences have no significant impact on cyber fraud investigation in Nigeria.
By Ibrahim Aliyu Gwaram
IG @rassbow_designs
Comments
Post a Comment