Are Online Fraudsters Who They Say? An Examination of Stolen Identifies to Conduct Fraud

• In Event: Trends in Online Fraud: An Analysis of Illicit Commodities over Digital Platforms

Abstract

Objective: Online fraudsters have exploited the capabilities of the internet to defraud targets of $18.7 billion in the last five years (Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2022). Despite the fundamental role offenders play in developing and completing an online fraud event, there are limited examinations into offenders’ individual-level decision-making processes with identity theft fraud. Therefore, the current study examines offenders' use of stolen identities to conduct online fraud.
Data/Methods: The current study examines self-collected data from online carding forums and employment databases where fraudsters have reportedly stolen and are selling individuals’ identities. Specifically, the self-collected data analyzes fraudsters' modus operandi from fraudsters who target non-offender victims on “clear” websites (e.g., Monster, Indeed) and offender victims on online carding forums.
Results: The preliminary findings suggest a positive correlation between fraudsters who defraud non-offending targets of their identities and fraudsters who defraud other offenders of their identities.
Conclusions/Implications: The current study highlights the need for more empirical research into fraudsters' use of stolen identities to avoid detection while conducting online fraud.

Authors

• Tessa Cole, Georgia State University

• Jodi Maria Miller, Georgia State University