Introduction
The Internet’s characteristics, such as globality and anonymity, allow fraudsters to commit crimes online and hinder the activities of law enforcement agencies. Online fraud is notable for the difficulty in identifying perpetrators and the lack of sufficient resources for law enforcement (Yar & Steinmetz, 2019). With advanced global digitalization, the number of online crimes is expected to increase. Understanding the Internet features that allow online fraud to flourish is part of the global fight against this threat.
The Impact of Internet Features on Fraud
Firstly, it is difficult to recognize online criminals, since the Internet guarantees their anonymity. Payment systems, such as cryptocurrency, are often the only way to track down fraud, but they can also be anonymized. Fraudsters can use fake documents, IP addresses, and physical media to withdraw stolen funds (Yar & Steinmetz, 2019).
For example, a scammer sells a non-existent product under a false name from a registered page to an invalid phone number. After receiving the payment, the funds are withdrawn through the crypto-wallet and cashed out. Such a crime is almost impossible to trace since the Internet guarantees that the scammer is completely anonymous. The global nature of the Internet hinders law enforcement because there is no single centralized base to fight cybercrime. The legal basis of justice depends on the location of the offender, if it can be found (Yar & Steinmetz, 2019).
A Fictional Case Study of Deception
For example, the same online fraud with a non-existent product occurred in South Africa. At the same time, a deceived buyer will write a police report in the United States. Even if it can be proven that the perpetrator accessed the Internet from there, the case cannot be effectively redirected to a distant country. It is also impossible to control the conduct of catching a criminal from this distance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, digitalization presents fraudsters with the advantage of anonymity, and the global nature of the Internet serves as an obstacle to justice. Anonymity allows one to freely withdraw stolen funds, and the ability to access the Internet anywhere in the world makes criminals practically invulnerable. Addressing these issues by creating an international centralized cybercrime network can be a significant contribution to downplaying the negative impacts.
Reference
Yar, M., & Steinmetz, K. F. (2019). Cybercrime and society. SAGE Publications.