E-Fraud in Nigerian Banks: Why and How?

Abstract

The advent of the internet and the adoption of e-payment platforms as a convenient means of payment have increased the extent of occurrence of e-fraud and cyber-attacks in Nigerian Banks. The study, therefore, investigated why and how e-frauds are perpetrated in the Deposits Money Banks in Nigeria by employees. The survey research design was adopted. Primary data were sourced from 120 fraud investigation officers in the Banks through the administration of structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using simple percentages. Results revealed that e-frauds were perpetrated by the employees whose employment was threatened as a result of not achieving deposit targets and using either expert or legitimate power to connive with other employees to commit e-fraud against the Banks. Furthermore, findings revealed that job losses were occasioned by disruptive technologies and economic challenges which often lead to employees’ disengagement without or little compensation created fear in the mind of employees to commit e-fraud through Phishing, Pharming, and breach of internal checks. The study recommended that unachievable deposits and sales targets should be discouraged in the Banks through our labour laws. Also, the human resources department of the Banks should institute whistleblowing policy that can assist employees to get a reprieve from a supervisor that may want to influence them using any form of power to commit e-fraud. Finally, it was recommended that e-fraud consciousness of the general users of e-payment channels and employees’ sensitization on negative consequences of employees’ e-frauds should be heightened through frequent education and continuous training.