Using Fuzzy Similarity Measures to Assess the Factors Disposed to Commit Cyber-Crime
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Full Text |
Pdf |
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Author |
Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng
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ISSN |
2079-8407 |
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On Pages
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89-97
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Volume No. |
6
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Issue No. |
2
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Issue Date |
March 1, 2015 |
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Publishing Date |
March 1, 2015 |
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Keywords |
Cyber-crime, Fuzzy Similarity Measures, Multi-Attribute Decision-Making, Perpetrators, Cyber-victim
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Abstract
This exploratory study examines the characteristic attributes that predispose patrons to commit cyber-crimes. Cyber-crime is nicknamed as “Sakawa” in Ghana, which involves the use of Internet-enabled PCs, equipped with webcam, and a user with basic computing skills of sending and receiving emails and/or instant messaging. Interestingly, patrons have mastered the “non-monetary currencies” framework to woo their unsuspecting victims. False representations are made to defraud or induce victims to deliver anything valuable or convertible to credit. What motivates patrons to engage in this infamous trade? How could patrons be persuaded to cease operations or disengage from this fraudulent trade? This study relied on expert knowledge elicited through various interviews and followed up with a survey on the mindset of the patrons. Cognizance of the fuzzy nature in profiling perpetrators, fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approach was employed to examine the factors that may influence or predispose a person to commit cyber-crime. Using fuzzy similarity measures analytics, taxonomy of criminal behavioral characteristics were ranked. The study revealed that key attributes of being apt to “cheating”, having an attractive “opportunity” and lack of “friendship” are factors highly possible to predispose a patron to commit cyber-crime. The study also indicates that perpetrators are mostly young males under 29 years, motivated by monetary gains, with the skills to utilize anonymous proxies, taking advantage of difficulties associated with cross-border investigations, apprehension and prosecution. Finally, the results indicate that if some form of stipend or a job were offered the patrons, almost all of them would leave the trade and take up more fulfilling challenges in society.
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