The Role of Trust and Social Networks in Promoting Ponzi Schemes in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Öz

In the oil-rich, yet, often marginalised Niger Delta, the promise of financial liberation, ironically, flows not just from the earth but also from the insidious currents of Ponzi schemes, where deeply ingrained social trust becomes the very pipeline through which exploitation is pumped. This study examined the critical role of trust and social networks in the proliferation of Ponzi schemes within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study was guided by Marvin Wolfgang’s Victim Precipitation Theory (VPT) developed in 1958. An exploratory survey design was utilised. Key informant interview was used with 28 victims of Ponzi scheme, aged 18-60 years. Purposive and respondent-driven sampling techniques were utilised in the selection of respondents. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that Ponzi schemes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are effectively promoted through the exploitation of trust within social networks, including family, community ties and religious affiliations, leading to significant financial losses for victims who often rely on endorsements from trusted individuals. This study contributes to knowledge by providing a context-specific understanding of trust exploitation within the Niger Delta region’s unique socio-cultural landscape. It moves beyond individual blame, framing vulnerability as a product of manipulated social conditioning and emotional appeals within trusted networks. The study recommended the urgent need for culturally informed financial literacy programmes, stronger community-based awareness initiatives and targeted policy interventions to build resilience against these pervasive financial scams. The study suggests further research on the link between sociocultural dynamics and financial fraud, particularly in rural or impoverished areas.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Trust
• social networks
• promotion
• ponzi schemes
• Niger delta region

The Role of Trust and Social Networks in Promoting Ponzi Schemes in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Öz

Petrol zengini, ancak çoğu zaman marjinalleştirilmiş Nijer Deltası'nda, finansal kurtuluş vaadi, ironik bir şekilde, sadece topraktan değil, aynı zamanda derinlemesine kök salmış sosyal güvenin sömürünün pompalandığı boru hattı haline geldiği saadet zincirlerinin sinsi akımlarından da akmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Nijerya'nın Nijer Deltası bölgesinde saadet zincirlerinin yaygınlaşmasında güven ve sosyal ağların kritik rolünü incelemiştir. Çalışmaya Marvin Wolfgang'ın 1958 yılında geliştirdiği Mağdur Çökeltme Teorisi (VPT) rehberlik etmiştir. Keşifsel bir anket tasarımı kullanılmıştır. Yaşları 18-60 arasında değişen 28 saadet zinciri mağduru ile görüşülmüştür. Katılımcıların seçiminde amaçlı ve katılımcı güdümlü örnekleme teknikleri kullanılmıştır. Veriler tematik analiz kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, Nijerya'nın Nijer Deltası bölgesindeki saadet zincirlerinin aile, topluluk bağları ve dini bağlılıklar da dahil olmak üzere sosyal ağlar içindeki güvenin istismar edilmesi yoluyla etkili bir şekilde teşvik edildiğini ve genellikle güvenilir kişilerin onaylarına güvenen mağdurlar için önemli mali kayıplara yol açtığını ortaya koymuştur. Bu çalışma, Nijer Deltası bölgesinin kendine özgü sosyo-kültürel ortamında güven istismarının bağlama özgü bir şekilde anlaşılmasını sağlayarak bilgi birikimine katkıda bulunmaktadır. Bireysel suçlamanın ötesine geçerek, savunmasızlığı manipüle edilmiş sosyal koşullanmanın ve güvenilir ağlar içindeki duygusal çekiciliğin bir ürünü olarak çerçevelemektedir. Çalışma, bu yaygın finansal dolandırıcılıklara karşı dayanıklılık oluşturmak için kültürel olarak bilgilendirilmiş finansal okuryazarlık programlarına, daha güçlü toplum temelli farkındalık girişimlerine ve hedefli politika müdahalelerine acil ihtiyaç duyulmasını tavsiye etmektedir. Çalışma, özellikle kırsal veya yoksul bölgelerde sosyokültürel dinamikler ile finansal dolandırıcılık arasındaki bağlantı üzerine daha fazla araştırma yapılmasını önermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Güven
• sosyal ağlar
• promosyon
• saadet zinciri
• Nijer deltası bölgesi

Kaynakça

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