Knowledge on Cyber Crime or ‘Love Scam’: How Does the Higher Education Institutions’ (HEIs) Students Define Them?

Abstract

Cybercrime is one of the hot issues that occur around the world. Society's addiction to social media and technology has been a one of contributing factors in the rise of cybercrime. Various categories of cybercrime are reported including telecommunications fraud, online purchases, personal data breaches, pornographic materials and cyber love scams are no exception. In fact, the addiction towards the usage of the internet or social media makes higher education institutions’ (HEIs) students a vulnerable group towards love scam. Therefore, this study aims to explore HEI students’ understanding on what constitute a cybercrime of love scam and what defines love scam from their perspective. This study exploits a qualitative study using Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approach among 12 students from various universities or HEIs in Northern Region of Malaysia. The data gathered is then analyzed using thematic analysis with the use of Nvivo12 software. The findings revealed that the students perceived that the definition of love scam can be categorized as, i) love fraud, ii) financial fraud, iii) dissemination of personal information, and iv) criminal behaviour. This study implicates the policy makers in designing the policy on community awareness for love scam to emphasize its’ real definition. While practically, every community member’s specially HEIs’ students to be more alert and proactive and being knowledgeable on this matter.