Critical Investigation of the Causes of Economic and Cyber Fraud among the Youth in Africa: A Case of Ghana

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the rapid spread and the prevalence of sakawa (internet fraud backed by occult practices or spiritualism) in Ghana, localizing or using Swedru as a case study. Using qualitative method of inquiry, the study examined the reasons why the youths engage in sakawa, the rituals they perform, its repercussions on the perpetrators, the society and the nation as a whole, and the government and other stakeholders"Ÿ efforts to combat or curtail this menace. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and the ATLAS it was used for the Data analysis. Findings from this research explored that peer pressure, unemployment, poverty and haste of becoming rich at an early stage in life push the youths into sakawa without considering the consequences. Also, the level of consciousness about sakawa in Ghana is increasing but most crimes associated with sakawa are not reported to the police. This is because of lack of evidences from the public to the police. Also because of the rights to privacy, the Police cannot interfere in what one is doing at the café. I recommended that there should be laws governing the operation of internet cafes in our communities and Ghana Police Service should also be well trained in I. C. T. to become proficient in computer literacy in fighting or combating cybercrime or other computer related crimes. Government should also create adequate technical and computer training schools where the youth technical skills in I.T. will be sharpened and channeled into other developmental programs and researches created by the government to enhance their technical competencies and development as a whole.