CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, INTERVENTION FUNDS AND CYBERCRIME

Authors

  • Olayinka AKANLE
  • David O NKPE
  • Olusegun Israel OLANIYAN

Keywords:

Coronavirus Pandemic, Cybercrime, Coronavirus Palliative Funds

Abstract

 The Coronavirus pandemic is a remarkable event that has affected, reconfigured and altered ways of life of many individuals and groups globally resulting in what is now known as the “new normal†in human relationships. Part of the measures put in place to mitigate associated deaths and contagion of the disease were massive lockdowns of businesses, confinement of people and travel restrictions. In the process, people and organizations were forced to think of new alternatives of sustaining their social and economic activities without deviating from the COVID-19 precautions. One of these mitigation methods and coping mechanisms is teleworking. While teleworking and virtual relationships have been in existence prior to COVID-19, evidence abounds that the pandemic generated a unique vulnerability and crime; cybercrime. Cybercrime has affected lots of businesses, societies and the mode through which teleworking is carried out. The increased anxiety of most people to have proper knowledge of and cope with this pandemic often make them fall victim of cybercrime. A very good case is cybercrime and attack on coronavirus palliative funds. This paper examines cybercrime and diversion of Covid-19 funds through global perspectives particularly different cyber-attacks during COVID-19.  

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2022-06-05