Cybercriminal networks in the UK and Beyond: Network structure, criminal cooperation and external interactions

Jonathan Lusthaus*, Edward Kleemans, Rutger Leukfeldt, Michael Levi, Thomas Holt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This article examines the network structure, criminal cooperation, and external interactions of cybercriminal networks. Its contribution is empirical and inductive. The core of this study involved carrying out 10 case analyses on closed cybercrime investigations – all with financial motivations on the part of the offenders - in the UK and beyond. Each analysis involved investigator interview and access to unpublished law enforcement files. The comparison of these cases resulted in a wide range of findings on these cybercriminal networks, including: a common division between the scam/attack components and the money components; the presence of offline/local elements; a broad, and sometimes blurred, spectrum of cybercriminal behaviour and organisation. An overarching theme across the cases that we observe is that cybercriminal business models are relatively stable.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)364-387
Number of pages24
JournalTrends in Organized Crime
Volume27
Issue number3
Early online date3 Feb 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cybercriminal networks in the UK and Beyond: Network structure, criminal cooperation and external interactions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this