Abstract: Examining the pathways into cybercrime
What are pathways into cybercrime and how does someone become involved in a cybercriminal network? Traditionally, social ties provide access to criminal networks. These involvement mechanisms rely heavily on building trust and are limited to existing ‘real-world’ social contacts such as family, friends and co-workers. ‘Offender convergence settings’ – physical locations such as cafes and bars, where criminals can meet – are used to forge contacts outside an individual’s initial social cluster. Studies into involvement mechanisms of cybercriminal networks are scarce. However, case studies clearly show that the internet provides specific offender convergence settings, such as forums where cybercriminals can meet to exchange information or make plans to commit crimes.
The first part will present the findings of interviews with Dutch hackers about their online and offline pathways into cybercrime, co-offending and desistence. Preliminary results show that the first (baby) steps in pathways into cybercrime include gaming, Google and YouTube. In the second part of this presentation, a discussion of two interventions that are currently utilised to deter starting cybercriminals will be supplied.
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