Conflicts, violence and weapons in the world of financial-economic cybercrime

• In Event: Cybercrime Offenders & Victims I

Abstract

The current study explores the presence of physical violence and threats in the realm of financial-economic cybercrime through an examination of 15 closed Dutch police investigations. It appeared that violence, threats, and weapons are indeed linked to financial-economic cybercrime offending in various ways. It serves as tools to recruit new members and secure cooperation from co-offenders, but also as a reaction to conflicts and betrayal within and between criminal networks. This has sometimes resulted in severe assault, explosions, and shootouts. Indeed, fireweapons are regularly encountered in possession of cybercrime offenders and many have a history of violent offending, such as armed robberies.

Authors

• Rutger Leukfeldt, NSCR

• Luuk Bekkers, The Hague University of Applied Sciences