Computer assisted frauds: An examination of offender and offense characteristics in relation to arrests

Previous studies on fighting computer-assisted frauds have attempted to assist law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to better understand important aspects of motivation, opportunity and deterrence. However, there have been few empirical studies on the profiles of convicted offenders, post detection. This paper examines characteristics of frauds and their associated respective law enforcement response with particular emphasis on frauds facilitated by information technology. The findings show how the prosecution and conviction of the offenders differ among commonly-seen types of computer assisted frauds, and bring new evidence to the common association of gender and crime, severity and punishment, etc. The findings may help LEAs and legislative bodies to evaluate their current practices from the point of restorative social justice.