Article Review #01: A Study of Pattern of Cybercrime Abuse of Individual Internet Users
In Umuahia North LGA, Abia State of South-eastern Nigeria.

Introduction / BLUF

The scholarly article in this review was published in the International Journal of
Cybersecurity Intelligence and Cybercrime in 2025. It is based on a study conducted via surveys
of individual internet users in Umuahia. The authors discovered that there was a lack of research
about cybercrime and victimization in south-eastern Nigeria and sought to provide new academic
literature on the subject (Nzeakor et al. 2025). This review will highlight the main purpose of the
article, which is to identify and analyze the pattern of cybercrime abuse in Umuahia, Nigeria,
with the findings showing a higher occurrence of information and communication technology
(ICT) gadgets like laptops and phones stolen (19%), fraud (17%) and hacking (15%), than
malware attacks.

Relation/Connection to Social Science Principles

The researchers incorporated some of the principles of social sciences throughout the
study. The authors remained objective as they reported the survey results derived from the
randomly selected participants. The article highlighted that ethical considerations relating to the
principle of ethical neutrality such as confidentiality, safety, voluntary participation, and
anonymity were ensured as the survey was conducted, by attaching a cover letter that explained
the request for information (Nzeakor et al. 2025). The information reported was based on factual,
measurable findings that were verified and checked for scientific accuracy before being analyzed
and presented in clear and simple language for the readers. This relates to the principles of
empiricism, skepticism and parsimony respectively.

Research Question /Hypothesis/ Independent Variable/Dependent Variable

• The main research question the article addresses is: What is the incidence or prevalence of cybercrime abuse in Umuahia?
• Hypotheses 1: “Individual Internet users are likely to experience more cyber-enabled abuse than cyber dependent abuse” (Nzeakor et al. 2025).
• Hypotheses 2: “Individual internet users are likely to experience more property-based
  cyber abuse than violent-based cyber abuse” (Nzeakor et al. 2025).
• Independent Variable: The individual internet users targeted for the questionnaire were the independent variables examined. The study focused on the behavior and demographics of the sample population.
• Dependent Variable: The dependent variable examined was the type of cyber abuse victimization reported by the individual internet users. The type of cybercrimes reported and the losses incurred were recorded.

Types of Research Methods used

The study employed mixed methods of research by combining questionnaires and
supplemental interviews to collect data. The sample population consisted of individual internet
users between the ages of 20 and 70 from among the 223,134 consumers identified by a previous
Umuahia population census. Researchers reportedly used random, systemic, probability sampling
techniques in several stages to narrow down the selected group to 1056 subjects living in
households of 2 or more persons. 924 copies (87%) of the questionnaire were completed and
returned for analysis. 18 police officers from Zone 9 Police headquarters in Umuahia were also
interviewed for cybercrime report statistics and their experience with cybercrime victims. The
voluntary participants completed a two-part questionnaire and introduction that gathered
demographic information as well as the data needed for the hypotheses (Nzeakor et al. 2025).

Types of Data Analysis used

The researchers used descriptive and inferential statistics from the Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences (SPSS) software to analyze the field data they collected (Nzeakor et al.
2025). According to the article, the question indexes were designed to extract information about
the prevalence and degree of victimization experienced by the participants. The SPSS software
compiled the raw data and assigned numerical scores (1 for yes, 0 for no) and percentages to the
answers given. These index scores were then illustrated in tables and charts to explain the results.

Connections to other Course Concepts

The study relates to concepts introduced throughout the Cybersecurity and the Social
Sciences course. One such concept is Victim Precipitation, where the behavior of victims can
contribute to their own victimization. The victims are not blamed for cybercrime, but they may
engage in activities that inadvertently place them at risk of victimization. For example, some
participants in the study admitted to trusting unknown parties online and giving them sensitive
information, resulting in victimization. This also relates to the personality theory concepts of
agreeableness of people willing to comply with others easily and openness where individuals
were naturally curious and open to trying new things without fore thought. Another course
concept found in the article is Research Strategies. Research can be conducted via quantitative
(field research); qualitative (Surveys and experiments) or mixed methods. This study effectively
used mixed methods as the research strategy to collect the data needed to answer the research
question.

Connections to the Concerns or contributions of Marginalized Groups

The preliminary questionnaire contained questions about age, household size,
employment status and education level. The participants who responded included single and
married men and women, various income and education levels, different religions and different
age groups. Although the researchers did not specify any parameters other than age limits and
geographical location for the study’s participants, one can infer from the findings that cybercrime
victimization can affect all members of society that engage in online activities including
marginalized groups. Cybercriminals targeting Umuahia may have done so randomly, but their
victims were affected differently based on the groups they fell into. For example, individuals
living in low-income households may not have had the access to the educational or technological
resources that would have protected them from being victimized. They were also likely to be
more severely affected by a loss of money or property than others who could afford to maintain
the same living standard despite their losses.

Overall societal contributions of the study/Conclusion

In conclusion, the study provided the academic community with new and reliable data
about the nature and volume of cybercrimes and victimization experienced in the Eastern regions
of Nigeria, where no data was previously available. This opened the door for future explorations
in that area by cybersecurity analysts and reinforced the connection between cybersecurity and
the social sciences. The study contributes positively to society by giving policy makers a
snapshot of the types of cybercrime victimization that occurs in that region. The data can be used
to educate the population about avoiding online threats and mitigating the risks of future losses.

Reference

Nzeakor, O. F., Okafor, R. N. & Nwoke, C. N. (2025). PATTERN OF CYBERCRIME ABUSE
OF INDIVIDUAL INTERNET USERS IN NIGERIA. International Journal of
Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime, 8(2), -. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52306/2578
3289.1183

https://vc.bridgew.edu/ijcic/vol8/iss2/5?utm_source=vc.bridgew.edu%2Fijcic%2Fvo