digitallawJournal of Digital Technologies and LawJournal of Digital Technologies and Law2949-2483Kazan Innovative University named after V. G. Timiryasov10.21202/jdtl.2025.21tnqlxydigitallaw-585Research ArticleARTICLESСТАТЬИImpact of Cybercrime Related Offences on E-commerce in Cameroon: Social-Legal and Economic ConsequencesВлияние киберпреступности на электронную коммерцию в Камеруне: социально-правовые и экономические последствияhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-9947-0639ЛекунзеА. Б.LekunzeA. B.

Лекунзе Анумбуандем Бенволио – PhD, преподаватель, кафедра английского права, 

г. Буэа, а/я 63

Lekunze Anoumbuandem Benvolio – PhD, Lecturer, Department of English Law,

PO Box 63, Buea.

 

benleku@yahoo.comУниверситет БуэаКамерунUniversity of BueaCameroon20251911202533512536Copyright © Lekunze A.B., 20252025Лекунзе А.Б.Lekunze A.B.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://www.lawjournal.digital/jour/article/view/585Objective

Objective: to examine the impact of cybercrimes on e-commerce related transactions in Cameroon and evaluate the effectiveness of the legal provisions in force that counteract cyberthreats.

Methods

Methods: The research is based on the utilitarian, transaction cost and the rational choice theories. It adopts the qualitative research methodology with the use of the doctrinal method. The author conducted a comprehensive analysis of Cameroon’s legal acts in the field of cybersecurity and e-commerce. A survey was carried out between January to April 2025 at Molyko in Buea where 250 sample responses were obtained. Judicial precedents and statistics of the Cameroon Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications were investigated.

Results

Results: It was found that cybercrimes have caused loss of trust and confidence in e-commerce transactions within Cameroon and a declining rate at which people are willing to carry out e-commerce transactions in Cameroon. More than 60% of young persons between the ages of 16 to 35 years in some major Cameroonian cities are either involved in e-commerce related cybercrimes or suffered from them. It was also observed that there is an increase in the rate at which female persons are involved in e-commerce related cybercrimes. The main types of cybercrimes were identified: scamming, phishing, and bank card skimming.

Scientific novelty

Scientific novelty: it consists in a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of the impact of cybercrime on e-commerce in the context of the developing African economy. For the first time, an empirical study of the scale of cybercrime in a specific region of Cameroon was conducted, including a quantitative assessment of youth involvement in illegal activities. The author has developed a theoretical model that combines the utilitarianism, transaction costs, and rational choice concepts to explain the motivation of cybercriminals. Specific socio-legal factors contributing to the growth of cybercrime in the context of the socio-political crisis were identified.

Practical significance

Practical significance: The study results are of great practical significance for improving the legal, technological, social and economic mechanisms for countering cybercrime in Cameroon. The proposed recommendations include reforming procedural legislation, expanding the powers of specialized agencies, introducing a system of home addresses and social security numbers, raising the minimum wage, and integrating courses on cybersecurity into educational programs. The data obtained can be used by government agencies, the judicial system, educational institutions and international organizations to develop effective strategies to combat cybercrime and develop a secure digital economy.

Цель

Цель: проанализировать влияние киберпреступности на операции электронной коммерции в Камеруне и оценить эффективность существующих правовых механизмов противодействия киберугрозам.

Методы

Методы: исследование базируется на теориях утилитаризма, транзакционных издержек и рационального выбора. Применена методология качественного исследования с использованием доктринального метода. Проведен комплексный анализ правовых актов Камеруна в сфере кибербезопасности и электронной коммерции. Выполнено социологическое обследование с получением 250 выборочных ответов от жителей района Молико в городе Буэа в период с января по апрель 2025 г. Исследованы судебные прецеденты и статистические данные Министерства почты и телекоммуникаций Камеруна.

Результаты

Результаты: установлено, что киберпреступления привели к потере доверия к операциям электронной коммерции в Камеруне, что отражается на снижении желания граждан осуществлять онлайн-транзакции. Выявлено, что более 60 % молодежи в возрасте от 16 до 35 лет в крупных городах Камеруна либо вовлечены в киберпреступления, связанные с электронной коммерцией, либо пострадали от них. Зафиксирован рост числа женщин среди киберпреступников. Определены основные виды киберпреступлений: мошенничество, фишинг и хищение средств с банковских карт.

Научная новизна

Научная новизна: комплексный междисциплинарный анализ влия­ния киберпреступности на электронную коммерцию в контексте развивающейся африканской экономики. Впервые проведено эмпирическое исследование масштабов киберпреступности в конкретном регионе Камеруна с количественной оценкой вовлеченности молодежи в противоправную деятельность. Разработана теоретическая модель, объединяющая концепции утилитаризма, транзакционных издержек и рационального выбора для объяснения мотивации киберпреступников. Выявлены специфические социально-правовые факторы, способствующие росту киберпреступности в условиях социально-политического кризиса.

Практическая значимость

Практическая значимость: результаты исследования имеют важное прикладное значение для совершенствования правовых, технологических, социальных и экономических механизмов противодействия киберпреступности в Камеруне. Предложенные рекомендации включают реформирование процессуального законодательства, расширение полномочий специализированных органов, введение системы домашних адресов и номеров социального страхования, повышение минимальной заработной платы и интеграцию курсов кибербезопасности в образовательные программы. Полученные данные могут быть использованы правительственными структурами, судебной системой, образовательными учреждениями и международными организация­­ми для разработки эффективных стратегий борьбы с киберпреступностью и развития безопасной цифровой экономики.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.