Assessment of Internet Fraud (Yahoo-Yahoo) and Its Socioeconomic Drivers in Ogun State

Internet fraud, popularly known as yahoo-yahoo in Nigeria, has become a pervasive economic crime among Nigerian youth, generating enormous financial harm internationally while corrupting social values domestically. This study assessed the prevalence of internet fraud and its socioeconomic drivers among youth aged 18 to 35 in Abeokuta and Sagamu, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey was conducted among 260 youth from tertiary institutions and urban community clusters using stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire (with identity protection provisions) assessed internet fraud participation, awareness, perceived normalisation, and socioeconomic drivers. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied. Results showed that 38.5 percent of respondents acknowledged personal involvement or close familiarity with internet fraud practice. Graduate unemployment (OR 5.1, p < 0.001), material success peer pressure (OR 4.3, p < 0.001), and perceived low prosecution risk (OR 3.7, p < 0.001) were the strongest drivers. Moral disengagement through victim-blaming narratives was present in 72.3 percent of those involved or sympathetic. Religious deterrence was cited as an inhibiting factor by 61.2 percent of non-participants. The study concludes that internet fraud is driven by structural unemployment and normalised by cultural attitudes. Recommendations include aggressive EFCC youth awareness campaigns, youth employment policy reform, educational institution anti-fraud sensitisation, and community moral reorientation campaigns. Keywords: internet fraud, cybercrime, youth, Ogun State, socioeconomic drivers