Relative Deprivation and Youth Involvement in Cybercrime among Young Cybercrime Offenders in Lagos Metropolis

Abstract

Youth involvement in cybercrime has emerged as a major social, economic, and security concern in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, which serves as a hub of commerce and digital activity. This study investigates the factors that encourage young people to engage in cybercrime, focusing on socio-economic disparities, peer influence, parental approval, and the quest for quick wealth. Using Relative Deprivation Theory as a guiding framework, the study explores how perceived inequality between youths and their reference groups motivates engagement in illicit activities as a strategy to bridge the socio-economic gap. A mixed-methods research design was employed, involving quantitative data collection from 277 convicted cybercrime offenders and qualitative insights from 20 key informant interviews with law enforcement officers experienced in handling cybercrime cases. The findings indicate that poverty, unemployment, parental support or approval, peer reinforcement, and cultural glamorization of cybercrime significantly encourage youth engagement in online fraud, whereas moral values, parental disapproval, and fear of arrest serve as restraining factors. The study underscores that perceived deprivation, rather than absolute poverty, is a central driver of cybercrime behavior among youths, highlighting the role of social comparisons and unmet aspirations. Based on these insights, the study recommends interventions that focus on parental guidance, moral reorientation, youth empowerment, stricter enforcement of cybercrime laws, and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the appeal of cybercrime. This research contributes to a better understanding of the socio-cultural and psychological mechanisms underlying youth cybercrime in Lagos State and offers practical strategies for mitigating its prevalence