The Use of Online Crime Markets by Cybercriminal Networks

A View From Within

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3757639
AutoresRutger Leukfeldt (0000-0002-3051-0859, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, Netherlands, autor correspondente), Edward Kleemans (VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands), Edward R Kleemans (0000-0002-6986-8903), Wouter Stol (Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, Netherlands)
Ano2017
Volume61
Fascículo11
Páginas1387-1402
Data de publicação2017-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0002764217734267
OpenAlexW2761420971
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas29
Referências citadas19

In this article, we study the various functions of online cybercriminal meeting places from a unique perspective: We do not take the criminal meeting place as a starting point, but the users-the criminal networks. This allows not only for a view of what is happening on online meeting places, but it also places online meeting places into perspective. Our data consisted of detailed case descriptions of 40 cybercriminal networks active in the Netherlands (18), Germany (3), the United Kingdom (9), and the United States (10). Reconstructions were made based on analysis of police files and/or interviews with case officers and public prosecutors. Online meeting places play a role in the majority of our cases: to meet co-offenders, to buy tools, or to sell data. However, from a crime script perspective, the role of forums is much more modest. Forums, for example, can be used to find suitable co-offenders, but in the majority of our cases the core members did not meet at forums. Offline meeting places still play an important role in cybercriminal networks. Furthermore, forums can be viewed as online versions of offline offender convergence settings-physical locations such as a bar-where criminals can meet, and ensure continuity and structure. However, forums might be more accessible than physical criminal meeting places. For a curious newbie, it is, for example, easier to visit all sorts of forums than it is to visit all sorts of criminal bars. Finally, our cases show that the learning function of forums should not be underestimated

Convergence (economics) · Criminology · Function (biology) · Happening · Internet privacy · Online and offline · Online discussion · Online forum · Perspective (graphical) · Point (geometry) · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Law