ARTICLE

EMERGING CYBER CRIMES IN PAKISTAN A CASE STUDY OF ONLINE FRAUD THROUGH DIGITAL MICROLOAN APPS

  1. HOME
  2. ARTICLE

30 Pages : 411-421

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gdpmr.2023(VI-II).30      10.31703/gdpmr.2023(VI-II).30      Published : Jun 2023

Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps

Abstract

    This study aims to investigate the newly emerging phenomenon of cyber-crimes in Pakistan with the lens of a case study focusing on online fraud through digital microloan apps. The study employed qualitative methodology with an inductive approach of thematic analysis to examine the responses of interviewees. This thematic approach allowed the emergence of themes from the data. A sample size of 15 male and female students was chosen from 5 Public and private sector Universities of Lahore. The study found that online fraud through microloan apps has become a common phenomenon in Pakistan with weak implementation of cyber-laws, thus putting most social media users especially those who are using online digital apps to acquire microloans under the threat of cyber-fraud. The study also found that female students were comparatively easy prey to these loan apps than male students. The study recommended that public and private media houses launch an awareness campaign among digital media users to avoid such kind of fraud. The study further recommended that law enforcement agencies should ensure strict implementation of cyber-security laws to ensure a safe and secure environment.

    Cyber-Crimes, Cyber Security, Microloan, Social Media, Thematic Analysis

    (1) Muhammad Shahzad
    Assistant Controller, Examination Branch, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Fulltext PDF

References

  • Ali, S., Shah, S. Z. H., Qureshi, S. N., & Tanveer, S. (2022). Impact of Cyber- Terrorism on National Security of Pakistan. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 19(3), 1456-1468. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4255891
  • Alkhalil, Z., Hewage, C., Nawaf, L., & Khan, I. (2021). Phishing Attacks: A Recent Comprehensive Study and a New Anatomy. Frontiers in Computer Science, 3(1). frontiersin. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.563060
  • Anjum, U. (2020). Cybercrime in Pakistan; detection and punishment mechanism. https://thesis.pide.org.pk/thesis/cyber-crime-in-pakistan-detection-and-punishment-mechanism/
  • Ashraf, A., König, C. J., Javed, M., & Mustafa, M. (2023). "Stalking is immoral but not illegal": Understanding Security, Cyber Crimes and Threats in Pakistan. Paper presented at the Nineteenth Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security (SOUPS 2023).
  • Bada, M., & Nurse, J. R. (2020). The social and psychological impact of cyberattacks. In Emerging cyber threats and cognitive vulnerabilities (pp. 73-92): Elsevier.
  • Cleghorn, C., Wilson, N., Nair, N., Kvizhinadze, G., Nghiem, N., McLeod, M., & Blakely, T. (2019). Health Benefits and Cost-Effectiveness From Promoting Smartphone Apps for Weight Loss: Multistate Life Table Modeling. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 7(1), e11118. https://doi.org/10.2196/11118
  • Ekawade, S., Mule, S., & Patkar, U. (2016). Phishing attacks and their prevention. 2(12).
  • Ernawati, K., Nugroho, B. S., Suryana, C., Riyanto, A., & Fatmawati, E. (2022). advantages of digital applications in public health services on automation era. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(1), 174–186. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6n1.3684
  • Gies, S. V., Piquero, N. L., Piquero, A. R., Green, B., & Bobnis, A. J. C. j. p. r. (2021). Wild, wild theft: Identity crimes in the digital frontier. 32(6), 592-617. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403420949650
  • Glisson, W. B., Storer, T., Mayall, G., Moug, I., & Grispos, G. (2011). Electronic retention: what does your mobile phone reveal about you? International Journal of Information Security, 10(6), 337–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10207-011-0144-3
  • Heeks, R. (2001). Understanding e- Governance for Development. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3540058
  • Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable Operations and Computers, 3(3), 275–285 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004
  • Ibarra, J., Jahankhani, H., & Kendzierskyj, S. (2019). Cyber-Physical Attacks and the Value of Healthcare Data: Facing an Era of Cyber Extortion and Organised Crime. Blockchain and Clinical Trial, 115– 137. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11289-9_5
  • Igor, Z., Dmitry, M., Andrey, S., Dmitry, K., Anastasia, T., & Alexander, Z. (2013). Security Software Green Head for Mobile Devices Providing Comprehensive Protection from Malware and Illegal Activities of Cyber Criminals. International Journal of Computer Network and Information Security, 5(5), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5815/ijcnis.2013.05.01
  • Jamshed, J., Rafique, W., Baig, K., Ahmad, W., & Affairs, E. (2022). Critical Analysis of Cybercrimes in Pakistan: Legislative Measures and Reforms. 7(1), 10-22. https://doi.org/10.24088/ijbea-2022-71002
  • Ashibani, Y., & Mahmoud, Q. H. (2017). Cyber physical systems security: Analysis, challenges and solutions. Computers & Security, 68, 81–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2017.04.005
  • Maluleke, W. (2023). Exploring Cybercrime: An Emerging Phenomenon and Associated Challenges in Africa. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 6(6), 223–243. https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v6i6.1360
  • Memon, S., Mahar, S., Das Dhomeja, L., & Pirzado, F. (2015, June 1). Prospects and challenges for social media in Pakistan. IEEE Xplore. h ttps://doi.org/10.1109/CyberSA.2015.7166124
  • Pyke, A., Rovira, E., Murray, S., Pritts, J., Carp, C. L., & Thomson, R. (2021). Predicting individual differences to cyber attacks: Knowledge, arousal, emotional and trust responses. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.5817/cp2021-4-9
  • Sabillon, R., Cavaller, V., Cano, J., & Serra- Ruiz, J. (2016). Cybercriminals, cyberattacks and cybercrime. 2016 IEEE International Conference on Cybercrime and Computer Forensic (ICCCF). https://doi.org/10.1109/icccf.2016.7740434
  • hahid, K., Kauser, S., & Zulqarnain, W. (2018). Unveiling The Evil; Pakistani Young Girls And Online Harassment. Cybercrime Journal of Research and Reviews in Social Sciences Pakistan, 1(2), 152–163. https://journal.kinnaird.edu.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/5UNVEILING-THE-EVIL-PAKISTANI-YOUNG-GIRLS-AND-ONLINE-HARASSMENT-1.pdf
  • Slim, H., & Hafedh, M. J. T. e. w. t. (2019). Social media impact on language learning for specific purposes: A study in English for business administration. Teaching English with Technology 19(1), 56- 71. https://tewtjournal.org/download/5-social-media-impact-on-language-learning-for-specific-purposes-a-study-in-english-for-business-administration-by-hadoussa-slim-and-menif-hafedh/
  • Smith, K.T., Jones, A., Johnson, L. and Smith, L.M. (2019), "Examination of cybercrime and its effects on corporate stock value", Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 42- 60. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-02-2018-0010
  • Victoire, T. A., Vasuki, M., Karunamurthy, A., Soundarya, D., & Sarumathi, S. (2023). A Survey on Cyber Security Threats and its Impact on Society. International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management, 6(6), 146–152. https://journal.ijresm.com/index.php/ijresm/article/view/2747
  • Wyatt, T. (2021). Wildlife trafficking: A deconstruction of the crime, victims and offenders: Springer.

Cite this article

APA

CHICAGO

    CHICAGO : Shahzad, Muhammad. 2023. "Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps." Global Digital & Print Media Review, VI (II): 411-421 doi: 10.31703/gdpmr.2023(VI-II).30

HARVARD

    HARVARD : SHAHZAD, M. 2023. Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps. Global Digital & Print Media Review, VI, 411-421.

MHRA

    MHRA : Shahzad, Muhammad. 2023. "Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps." Global Digital & Print Media Review, VI: 411-421

MLA

    MLA : Shahzad, Muhammad. "Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps." Global Digital & Print Media Review, VI.II (2023): 411-421 Print.

OXFORD

    OXFORD : Shahzad, Muhammad (2023), "Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps", Global Digital & Print Media Review, VI (II), 411-421

TURABIAN

    TURABIAN : Shahzad, Muhammad. "Emerging Cyber Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of Online Fraud through Digital Microloan Apps." Global Digital & Print Media Review VI, no. II (2023): 411-421. https://doi.org/10.31703/gdpmr.2023(VI-II).30