Internet Fraud Victimization and Mortality at the Regional Level: The Mediating Roles of Psychological Stress

• In Event: Technology Supported Victimization: Attitudes, Reporting and Effects

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between Internet fraud victimization at the regional level and mortality (suicide and cancer) at the sub-regional level. By adopting the complex contagion model (Centola & Macy, 2007), we hypothesize that psychological stress at the sub-regional level mediates the relationship at different levels for Internet fraud victimization and mortality. Using both national and crime statistical data, we present empirical results on the mediating effects of psychological stress at the sub-regional level between Internet fraud victimization at the regional level and mortality at the sub-regional level. These findings provide important implications for criminologists, psychologists, and medical scientists to help predict the consequences of high levels of Internet fraud victimization at the regional level and to reduce mortality.

Authors

• Heedou Kim, Korean National Police University

• Chang-Sik Kim, Korean National Police University

• Eun-Young Kim, Korean National Police University

• Sunghoon Roh, Korean National Police University

• Daeho Kim, Korean National Police University