Keywords
cybercrime, typology, offender targets, objectives, methods, organized crime
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This research develops an empirical typology of cybercrime based on an assessment of all cases prosecuted by the federal government in 2019 calendar year. There have been several previous efforts to develop a typology of cybercrimes, but this research examines serious cases resulting in federal prosecutions for which a burden of proof has been established and detailed information is available. The result is a typology that includes three major elements: a description of the conduct, how it was carried out, and the objective of the illegal act. A keyword search identified every federal prosecution involving cybercrimes over 12 months in all regions of the US. The resulting typology shows two general types of cybercrime occurring, along with several subtypes in each category: computers either as targets (for purposes of fraud, damage, or subverting infrastructure), or computing devices used as an instrument (to buy or sell illicit goods or services, phish for fraud victims, or transmit threats). This work begins to form an empirical basis for directing enforcement and prevention priorities more systematically.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://jcjl.pubpub.org/pub/vm45gchn
Recommended Citation
Albanese, Jay S.
(2022)
"A Typology of Cybercrime: An Assessment of Federal Prosecutions,"
Journal of Criminal Justice and Law: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
DOI: https://jcjl.pubpub.org/pub/vm45gchn
Available at:
https://research.library.kutztown.edu/jcjl/vol6/iss1/1