Journal of Economic Criminology最新文献

{"title":"Who constitute the VASPs in DeFi? A case study on money laundering via cross-chain bridge from the 2022 harmony hack","authors":"Yuyun Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100131","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Economic inequality and the monetary reward in a robbery","authors":"Stewart J. D'Alessio ,&nbsp;Lisa Stolzenberg ,&nbsp;Jamie L. Flexon","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The relationship between economic inequality and violent crime is usually equated with rational choice or strain theory, although adjudicating between these two distinct perspectives is exceedingly burdensome because their respective predictions are analogous. Multilevel data for 66 cities located across the U.S. are analyzed to evaluate whether economic inequality influences the financial reward (cash/property) derived from a robbery. While rational choice theory proffers that economic inequality increases the monetary reward in a robbery because of the greater availability of lucrative targets to victimize, strain theory makes no such prediction. Results cast doubt on rational choice theory because economic inequality fails to predict the financial reward acquired in a robbery. However, an offender’s monetary reward in cities plagued by economic inequality is observed to be more substantive when a firearm is employed during the commission of a robbery. This latter finding suggests that robbers may be employing firearms in cities plagued by economic inequality to victimize potentially wealthy targets who are likely better protected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How frontline states tackle sanctions against Russia: Implementation and enforcement dynamics in Poland and the Baltics","authors":"Katarzyna J. McNaughton ,&nbsp;Marcin Łukowski","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reshaped the EU’s security landscape, prompting sanctions aimed at weakening Russia’s war capabilities. These sanctions also redefined the roles of public authorities and the private sector, introducing new challenges in a shifting geopolitical context.</div><div>Public authorities, including financial intelligence units, customs, state security agencies, law-enforcement agencies, etc., must identify, prevent, and investigate sanctions evasion and circumvention. This requires robust legal frameworks, adequate resources, and expertise in sanctions evasion typologies. Similarly, businesses and financial institutions operate in legal ambiguity, often asking, <em>“Who am I dealing with in this transaction?”,</em> as they navigate complex compliance requirements.</div><div>Both the public and private sectors need a strong framework for domestic and cross-border sharing of financial intelligence, trade data, and knowledge of sanctions evasion typologies, as well as insight into the corporate structures of sanctioned entities. However, the EU's decentralized approach of independently designed national enforcement models may hamper cooperation and cross-border financial intelligence sharing.</div><div>This paper examines how Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that are post-Warsaw Pact EU countries bordering Russia, implement and enforce those sanctions. It explores who \"does what\" and whether national authorities are adapting their <em>modi operandi</em> to enforce sanctions effectively.</div><div>The findings reveal distinct national approaches. Latvia’s FIU became Europe’s first sanctions authority, integrating intelligence and enforcement functions. Estonia’s FIU plays a significant role but shares responsibilities with other agencies. Lithuania’s FIU adopts a collaborative model, leveraging a public-private partnership with the Center of Excellence in Anti-Money Laundering. Poland has a fragmented enforcement structure and regulatory framework but is unique in implementing its own autonomous sanctions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143548764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Afraid of the unknown: Crypto literacy and fear of online fraud","authors":"Timothy A. Engle ,&nbsp;Cooper A. Maher ,&nbsp;Michael Jones","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The proliferation of cryptocurrency throughout society has led to widespread usage within criminal offending. Despite this, limited research has investigated fear of cryptocurrency-based victimization, or the role that financial or cryptocurrency literacy play in influencing such fears. This study examines the influence in which financial and cryptocurrency literacy plays in both personal and altruistic fear of financial and cryptoeconomic crimes. Using a sample of college undergraduates (n = 433), and employing a validated scale of cryptocurrency literacy, results indicate that cryptocurrency literacy is not significantly associated with all modalities of fear of crime investigated, with the exception of altruistic fear of non-cryptocurrency financial crimes. Conversely, general financial literacy was negatively associated with personal fear of both financial crimes and non- cryptoeconomic financial crimes. Findings are discussed in light of research and policy implication as well as limitations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143465364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corruption as the cause, not the effect, of organized crime?","authors":"Jay S. Albanese","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This analysis uses known corruption cases, serious enough to be prosecuted by governments, to develop an empirical description of the nature of corruption and its connections to organized crime. More than 200 cases from the U.S. covering an entire year are compared with nearly 300 corruption cases submitted by Member States of the United Nations to its electronic resources portal (SHERLOC). SHERLOC makes available resources from all 193 UN Member States, non-member observer States of the United Nations, the European Union, and non-member parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The SHERLOC cases come from 50 countries, representing more than a quarter of the nations in the world. The objective of this analysis is to examine similarities and differences in corrupt conduct, its purpose or motivation, the number of offenders involved, transnational involvement, and organized crime connections. The circumstances of these cases suggest that corruption works as an enabler or facilitator of multiple forms of organized crime, rather than the effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143474697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Following the Money: Evaluating Evidence Gathering Using Financial Investigation in the World of Covert Human Intelligence Source Handling","authors":"Craig Hughes ,&nbsp;David Kennedy ,&nbsp;David Hicks","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research examines the possibilities for covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) handlers to gather financial intelligence against organised crime groups (OCGs). The focus will be on the financial footprint left by individual offenders and criminal enterprises for the purpose of targeting one form of the proceeds of crime, cash. The paper considers the practical utility of financial investigation techniques for routine use outside of the specialist area of asset recovery and confiscation. This is intended to provide balance with the traditional CHIS focus on commodities such as drugs, stolen goods, and firearms or evidence of serious offending such as murder or terrorism. After discussing existing policy, practice and research, the core method used in the paper involves primary research gathered by way of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to all United Kingdom (UK) police forces. Analysis and discussion of that data illustrates that a substantial majority of forces varying exemptions cited under the FOI rules The authors assess the received data and information and offer further critical analysis of the force rationales for non-disclosure. Currently, the situation concerning the use of financial investigation techniques and CHIS remains unanswered. Financial gain is a strategic priority for OCGs and most offenders but, strangely, financial investigation is not a strategic priority for intelligence-led and evidence-based UK policing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143465365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic accounting as an investigative tool: Insights from the FTX and Qatargate","authors":"Gerasimos Dimitropoulos Γεράσιμος Δημητρόπουλος ,&nbsp;Michelle Reading","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper examines the critical role of forensic accounting in investigating cross-border white-collar and state-organised crimes, focusing on case studies of the FTX collapse and the Qatargate scandal. Utilising a qualitative approach guided by the interpretivist paradigm, secondary data from scientific publications, case studies, business journals, and organisational guidelines were analysed. The study identifies significant challenges forensic accountants face, including regulatory inconsistencies and international cooperation barriers. Findings suggest that enhanced international collaboration, the application of advanced forensic techniques, and ethical leadership are essential in detecting such crimes and preventing systemic failures. The study introduces the \"Velvet Claw Tactics\" framework, which provides insights into these crimes and underscores the role of forensic accountants in understanding and combating them. Recommendations include strengthening global forensic accounting practices and developing a unified international framework to address these crimes effectively. The research contributes to both theoretical and practical advancements in forensic accounting and international cooperation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143465363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the role of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in light of virtual assets and cross-regional cryptocurrency-based money laundering in Nigeria","authors":"Oluwabunmi Adaramola","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Africa is one of the fastest-growing crypto markets in the world, with its crypto transactions peaking at $20 billion per month in mid-2021, with Nigeria contributing to the world’s third largest bitcoin-holding. Evidence continues to grow, showcasing criminals who seek to use cryptocurrencies for illegal activities like money laundering which could subsequently give rise to the event of an unregulated economy and global financial instability. As a result of the challenges of these unconventional currencies and transaction methods, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) updated its recommendations (particularly with the inclusion of Recommendation 15 on New Technologies) to address the various money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with virtual assets (including cryptocurrencies) and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) as an attempt to encourage member states’ regulatory actions against such risks.</div><div>As there has been considerable work carried out by the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) with regards to the implementation of Recommendation 15 in West African member states (and particularly Nigeria for the purpose of this research), this paper therefore investigates and evaluates the role of GIABA as an FRSB in monitoring Money Laundering in West Africa and implementing FATF Standards in the 21st-century era of virtual assets and other cryptocurrencies. Particularly, it provides an in-depth assessment of GIABA’s work in monitoring the implementation of Recommendation 15, especially with regards to cryptocurrency-based money laundering amidst the growth of cryptocurrency exchange and trading services in West Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100129"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143388308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategic business movements? The migration of online romance fraudsters from Nigeria to Ghana","authors":"Suleman Lazarus ,&nbsp;Mark Button ,&nbsp;Kaina Habila Garba ,&nbsp;Adebayo Benedict Soares ,&nbsp;Mariata Hughes","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study used an emic approach to examine the dynamics of online romance fraud, focusing on the migration of offenders from Nigeria to Ghana. We collected data through qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Ghanaian police officers and Nigerian law enforcement officers were consulted for their perspectives. Thematic analysis revealed key findings, including the migration patterns of Nigerian offenders to Ghana and the institutionalisation of scamming enterprises. These findings shed light on the transnational and structural factors driving online romance fraud in West Africa, highlighting both its global reach and the local mechanisms sustaining these criminal networks. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of regional and international cybercrime dynamics, offering valuable insights to inform policy and law enforcement strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100128"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phishing scams on social media: An evaluation of cyber awareness education on impact and effectiveness","authors":"Emma Mouncey,&nbsp;Simona Ciobotaru","doi":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jeconc.2025.100125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The threat of phishing scams is rising, with increasingly deceptive techniques targeting social media platforms such as Instagram. Many users remain unaware of these risks, leaving them vulnerable. However, little research explores the impact of phishing education on social media, particularly Instagram. This study surveyed 73 Instagram users regarding their awareness of phishing scams and anti-phishing education. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and content analysis to assess the perceived usefulness of phishing education and factors influencing engagement. Results indicate that phishing education enhances digital literacy, which users find valuable for their Instagram safety. Those who had completed training reported it as beneficial, regardless of the time since training. However, barriers such as time constraints and perceptions that training is boring or irrelevant were noted. The study discusses potential implications, including compulsory training and the use of digital nudges and micro-training to increase user awareness and engagement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100775,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Economic Criminology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}