Distinct group, distinct traits? The psychological and behavioral correlates of cybercrime offending

• In Event: Cybercrime Offenders & Victims II

Abstract

Few have researched the individual differences associated with cybercrime offending. Interventions and risk assessment instruments are therefore not well adjusted to this heterogeneous target group, possibly resulting in adverse effects. To overcome current gaps in literature, the current study sought to compare cybercrime offenders, traditional offenders, and non-offenders on criminogenic needs and online situational influences. We constructed a survey consisting of previously validated measurements which was completed by 1,240 panel members aged between 16 and 25 from a research agency in the Netherlands. Using three multinomial logistic regression models, the group comparisons revealed that cybercrime offenders overlap but also differ from traditional offenders. Especially factors related to school, work, and leisure may manifest themselves differently for cybercrime offending: what is considered to be protective of traditional crime, may actually provide opportunities to engage in cybercrime, such as pursuing a job in IT and higher levels of self-control. Cyber-dependent offenders seem to be a particular distinct offender group, while financial cybercrime offenders were more similar to traditional offenders overall.

Authors

• Luuk Bekkers, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

• Asier Moneva, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR); The Hague University of Applied Sciences

• Rutger Leukfeldt, NSCR