Nigeria Ranks Fifth in Global Cybercrime Index

• According to the World Cybercrime Index, Nigeria ranks fifth in global cybercrime, trailing Russia, Ukraine, China, and the United States
• The index, compiled by Oxford and UNSW Canberra researchers, aims to shed light on cybercriminal activities for better mitigation strategies

Nigeria has been positioned fifth in a global assessment of cybercrime activities, trailing behind Russia, Ukraine, China, and the United States, which occupied the top four spots, respectively.

The inaugural World Cybercrime Index, compiled by researchers from the Department of Sociology at the University of Oxford and the University of New South Wales, Canberra, identifies the leading sources of cybercrime nationally.

Other nations listed in the top 10 cybercrime hotspots include Romania, North Korea, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and India.

Dr. Jonathan Lusthaus, one of the report’s authors, emphasized the challenge of pinpointing cybercriminals’ geographic locations due to their clandestine and anonymous activities. He highlighted the necessity of relying on surveys of individuals tracking cybercriminals to gain insights into their whereabouts.

Dr. Miranda Bruce of the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra underscored the research’s significance in shedding light on cybercriminal offenders and aiding efforts to combat profit-driven cybercrime.

The report aims to demystify the anonymity surrounding cybercrime and contribute to strategies to mitigate the escalating threat posed by cybercriminal activities.