Criminal Profiling of Online Fraud Offenders: Understanding Digital Deception

• In Event: When Criminology meets Psychology: Bridging Psychological Perspectives in Criminal Behavior

Abstract

Online fraud is one of the fastest-growing criminal threats worldwide, costing individuals, businesses, and financial institutions billions each year. From phishing schemes and identity theft to investment fraud and romance scams, online fraud offenders exploit digital platforms to manipulate victims and evade detection. Despite advancements in cybersecurity, law enforcement faces challenges in identifying and profiling these offenders due to the anonymity and transnational nature of cybercrime.
Criminal profiling, a tool traditionally applied in violent crime investigations, is increasingly being adapted to analyze the behavioral, psychological, and demographic patterns of online fraud offenders. This presentation will explore the key typologies of cyber fraud offenders, their motivations, and the psychological and cognitive traits that drive their criminal behavior. Using case studies and intelligence-based methodologies, we will examine how law enforcement, financial institutions, and cybersecurity professionals can leverage behavioral profiling techniques to predict, detect, and disrupt fraudulent activities in the digital space.
By integrating forensic psychology, criminology, and data analytics, this paper will provide a structured approach to identifying fraud offender patterns, improving risk assessments, and enhancing prevention strategies on the basis of criminal psychology. The presentation will give insights into emerging trends in online fraud, the intersection of social engineering and cybercrime, and how multidisciplinary collaboration can contribute to more effective interventions in combating digital deception.

Author

• Dimitris Ziouvas, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences