ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses aspects of the impact of fraudulent activities on the image of citizens and their country. It highlights the other attributes of the offence such as ethnic background, class and gender. With few empirical studies on fraud carried out in developing countries in particular, attention is drawn to certain findings in other countries that can be regarded as universal. Fraud is a generic concept, which covers a wide range of activities, some of which may not be criminal as defined by the law. The usage of the term 'fraud' is associated with illegal actions or practices that are dishonest and deceptive. The impact of the 'image' problem can be seen in a speech by Ihode, the National President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, in which he stated that Advance Fee Fraud. Especially after the civil war, the spate of property and violent crimes increased. On the political side, corruption, mismanagement and nepotism were prevalent.
