The factors leading to online scams among Vietnamese young adults

Abstract

In the context of rapid development of technology, the phenomena of cybercrime or online scams has been cited as an emerging concern among not only the elderly but also the younger generations. Additionally, the society experienced a significant rise in the number of cases and the amount of damage caused by cybercrimes, especially fraudulence, in the past few years, due to the growth of technological advancements. The categories of online scams, therefore, exist and are developed into diverse different types; for instance, phishing, romance-related issues, or social media scams. However, the knowledge about scams activities and the factors leading individuals to have high rates of vulnerability, which allow people to protect themselves from scammers and decrease the rate of online fraud victimization, is insufficient. Prior studies indicated the key factors affecting individuals’ tendency to relate to online scams are impulsivity, socio-demographic characteristics, and media exposure. By consulting previous research, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding about the relationships between romance scams, legal authority impersonation tactics, digital literacy, cognitive impulsivity, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), media exposure and scam susceptibility in the context of young adults in Viet Nam. Data were collected from a representative sample of 301 Ho Chi Minh participants from 16 to 35 years old (79.1% 18-to-under-25). The result from the analysing process shows that there are strong positive links between romance scams, legal authority impersonation tactics, cognitive impulsivity, FOMO, media exposure and susceptibility to scams. However, digital literacy is investigated to be a factor that reduces the vulnerability of individuals. Our study findings emphasize the need of enhancing digital literacy and improving the awareness about online scams, particularly among Vietnamese young adults, to create a safe environment in the online space by reducing individuals’ susceptibility and preventing the growth of cybercrime