Socio-Psychological Characteristics of a Person who Commits Fraud as Part of an Organized Group on the Internet

Abstract

Abstract. The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that Internet fraud committed by an organized criminal group is a more serious and dangerous crime in terms of consequences, as it is long-term in nature, is committed on a particularly large scale, has detailed preparation and distribution of roles. It is possible to counteract this and recognize criminal manifestations only by knowing the socio-psychological portrait of a person who commits fraud as part of an organized criminal group through critical thinking through public awareness of modern, existing, fraudulent schemes that are built in accordance with the urgent needs of today. Comfortable conditions of the Internet space for committing fraud using electronic computing equipment, through online communication with a potential victim, the vulnerability and anxiety of citizens during the war, and the difficult financial situation enable members of an organized criminal group to invent various fraudulent schemes to seize funds, property, and valuables of other people. This poses a serious threat to the safety of citizens and can lead to serious financial losses for citizens and the state. The purpose of the article is to identify and study the features of the socio-psychological characteristics of individuals who commit fraud as part of an organized criminal group in the Internet space and to consider urgent issues that require research on this topic. The practical significance of the article is that establishing a typical socio-psychological portrait of an Internet fraudster who commits fraud as part of an organized group provides a basis for improving not only the methods of investigating such crimes, but also their prevention and organizational countermeasures. A generalized characteristic of a person who commits fraud as part of an organized group makes it possible to determine successful ways of exposure and improve methods of identifying from his environment individuals among whom members of an organized criminal group should be sought. The scientific novelty lies in establishing the socio-psychological characteristics of the fraudster as a member of an organized criminal group that commits fraud on the Internet. This makes it possible to determine a generalized socio-psychological portrait of an Internet fraudster as part of an organized criminal group in accordance with the type of Internet fraud committed and will increase the effectiveness of the investigation of such crimes. These and other components are the basis for the conclusion that the generalized socio-psychological characteristics of an Internet fraudster as a member of an organized criminal group will provide an opportunity to compile a socio-psychological portrait by the type of Internet fraud committed and to choose effective ways to expose the circle of individuals of such a group. The established socio-psychological portrait of such an Internet fraudster is the basis for organizing measures to counter such crimes. The socio-psychological characteristics of the behavior of an Internet fraudster as part of an organized group are outlined, which will contribute to the ideal investigation and timely recognition of criminal manifestations.

Keywords: fraud; socio-psychological portrait; criminal personality; Internet network; Internet fraudster; manipulation; electronic and computing equipment.