Mediated Realities as a Correlate of Internet Fraud among Young People in Nigeria

Authors

  • Edafe Ulo Department of Sociology/Criminology and Security Studies, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria Author
  • Obruche Omosomuofa Department of Religion, Practical Theology and Human Relations, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria Author
  • Aliyu Mustapha Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria Author
  • Tam Solomon David Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria Author
  • Judith Akpevwe Awana Department of Religion, Practical Theology and Human Relations, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/

Keywords:

internet fraud, cybercrime, entertainment media, digital influencers, young people, Asaba, Delta State, mediated realities, Nigeria

Abstract

The rise of internet fraud among young people in Nigeria can be linked to “mediated realities glamorized portrayals of wealth and success in entertainment media and on social media, which may encourage unrealistic expectations of quick financial success. The study examined the relationship between (i) entertainment-media exposure and (ii) digital-influencer exposure, (iii) demographic/socioeconomic characteristics, and young people’s involvement in internet fraud in Asaba metropolis. This study used a correlational survey design, and the researchers drew the sample through stratified random sampling across 8 communities in Asaba metropolis. The researchers analyzed the data using descriptive and multiple regression analyses in SPSS version 23. The results showed that entertainment-media exposure had a statistically significant but weak positive association with young people's involvement in internet fraud (β = 0.194, p < 0.001, 95% CI). Digital-influencer exposure also showed a statistically significant but weak positive association with youth involvement in internet fraud (0.218), p < 0.001, 95%. However, demographic/socio-economic covariates in the model (age, educational status, employment status, income, media-use frequency, peer influence, and socioeconomic strain) carried a considerably larger effect. Both entertainment-media exposure and digital-influencer exposure are significantly, though weakly, associated with young people's involvement in internet fraud in Asaba metropolis.

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International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

Published

09.10.2026

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies (First Online - Accepted Papers)

Section

International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

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Copyright (c) 2026 Edafe Ulo, Obruche Omosomuofa, Aliyu Mustapha, Tam Solomon David, Judith Akpevwe Awana (Author)

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How to Cite

Ulo, E., Omosomuofa, O., Mustapha, A., David, T. S., & Awana, J. A. (2026). Mediated Realities as a Correlate of Internet Fraud among Young People in Nigeria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.18485/

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