Is There Such a Thing as 'Virtual Crime'?

Abstract

This article explores the legal issues created by using computer technology to commit crimes of various types. The title refers to "virtual crime," but in the years since it was published that phrase has come to be used to refer to crime committed in or associated with virtual worlds. The topic of this article is really cybercrime, i.e., using computer technology to commit traditional crimes and the new crimes that emerged as computer technology became more common. It argues for taking a parsimonious approach to adopting new law to deal with this type of criminal activity. More precisely, it argues for applying or adapting existing law whenever possible, rather than adopting cybercrime-specific laws.