Crime Risk Research Articles

Blockchain Data Analytics: A Review

Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force with widespread applications across various industries. In particular, the analysis of blockchain data has become crucial for crypto businesses and financial institutions seeking to protect transactions from illicit activities, minimize the risk of financial crimes, and ensure compliance with regulations. This paper presents a comprehensive review of blockchain data analytics, focusing on its significance in these domains. The paper examines the advancements and possibilities in blockchain data analytics, shedding light on their transformative potential. It provides an overview of the techniques and tools used for analyzing blockchain data, including transaction tracing, pattern recognition, and anomaly detection. Moreover, it explores the challenges and opportunities associated with blockchain data analytics, such as scalability, privacy concerns, and regulatory frameworks.

Cross-jurisdictional financial crime risks: what can we learn from the UK regulatory data?

PurposeFinancial crime presents a serious threat to the stability and integrity of the global financial system. To combat illicit financial activities, regulatory bodies worldwide have implemented various measures, including the requirement for financial institutions to assess the financial crime risks they are exposed to in the jurisdictions they operate in. These risks include inadequate anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism frameworks and other financial crime risks that have significant strategic implications for firms’ geographical footprints and customer risk classifications. This paper aims to make a contribution to the literature by undertaking a cross-country analysis of 158 countries to shed light on what drives perceived jurisdiction risk of the UK financial services firms.Design/methodology/approachCapturing firms’ perceptions of financial crime risk requires significant data collection efforts, including surveys and interviews with key personnel. This can be highly resource-intensive and may require access to sensitive information that firms may be reluctant to share. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of financial crime risks means that perceptions can change rapidly in response to changes in the regulatory and geopolitical landscape. As a result, capturing and monitoring firms’ perceptions of financial crime risks requires ongoing monitoring and analysis. Capturing firms’ perceptions of financial crime risks at a cross-jurisdictional level is a particularly complex and challenging task that requires careful consideration of a range of factors. As a result of data limitations, empirical investigation of the factors underlying the firms’ perceptions of jurisdiction risk is in its infancy. This paper uses regulatory financial crime data from the UK in a multivariate regression analysis, following a general-to-specific approach where any redundant variables were removed from the general model sequentially.FindingsResults suggest that perceived jurisdiction risk is significantly and positively associated with evasion of tax and regulations, while it is significantly and negatively associated with political stability and regulatory stringency. These have important implications for home and host supervisors with respect to the factors that drive perceived jurisdiction risks and the evaluation of the nature of inherent financial crime risks within regulated firms. The findings confirm the critical role of the shadow economy, political stability and regulatory rigor in shaping jurisdiction risk perceptions. From a policy standpoint, the findings support the case for taking prompt policy action to identify, prioritize and implement specific and targeted measures with respect to the shadow economy, political stability and rigor of regulations to improve international firms’ perceptions of jurisdiction risk.Originality/valueWhile there exists different measures of financial crime risk, it is notoriously challenging to capture firms’ perceptions of it, particularly at a cross-jurisdiction level. This is because financial crime risks can vary significantly across different jurisdictions due to differences in legal and regulatory frameworks, cultural norms and levels of economic development. This makes it difficult for firms to compare and evaluate the financial crime risks they face in different jurisdictions. Besides, firms’ perceptions of financial crime risks can be influenced by a range of subjective factors, including personal experiences, media coverage and hearsay. These perceptions may not always align with objective risk assessments, which are based on more systematic and empirical methods of risk measurement. This paper contributes to the existing literature by undertaking a cross-country analysis drawing on a unique set of UK regulatory financial crime data, which is based on a total of 1,900 annual financial crime data regulatory return (REP-CRIM) submissions to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

Challenges and Prospects of International Cooperation in the Field of Financial Monitoring

The article is devoted to international cooperation’s main challenges and prospects in financial monitoring. In the context of the growth of transactions that have a transnational nature, the issue of financial monitoring on a global scale is actualised using the latest technologies. Financial monitoring is a process of identifying, assessing, and reducing the risks of financial crime. The author emphasises that it is efficient and effective international cooperation that can become the basis and help in creating more effective systems of verification and control of financial transactions, as well as contribute to the faster detection and termination of criminal actions related to the legalisation of criminal proceeds, corrupt actions, and financing of terrorism. In the article, the author focuses on one of the challenges of international cooperation, which can become an obstacle – the need to ensure mutual trust and cooperation between different countries and their financial institutions and the creation of common standards and protocols. International cooperation can also contribute to more transparent and regulated financial markets, increasing investor confidence and promoting economic growth. However, the author also emphasised that for the successful implementation of international cooperation in financial monitoring, it is also necessary to consider the different cultural, legal, and economic realities of different countries and regions. International cooperation in financial monitoring can provide more effective methods and tools to detect and stop financial crime. The author noted that successful international cooperation in financial monitoring depends on many factors, such as the effectiveness of legislation, the availability of technical means for information exchange, the standardisation of processes, and others.

The implications of national blockchain infrastructure for financial crime

PurposeThis paper aims to explain the implications of the impending establishment of national blockchain infrastructure by governments around the world, and how these structures can be integrated with existing legislation and assist in the prevention of financial crime.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is a literature review and analysis of progress being made to establish national blockchain infrastructure. It provides a discussion of the connection between blockchain and financial crime, and how this infrastructure will interact with existing regulatory frameworks, and particularly, financial crime legislation.FindingsThis paper documents financial crime risks posed by digital currencies and smart contracts and the role that national blockchain infrastructure can potentially play in mitigating these risks. It highlights the need for governments to devote resources to developing this infrastructure and associated regulatory frameworks.Originality/valueThere are few, if any, academic papers in the financial crime, or wider literature, that have examined the potential for national blockchain infrastructures prevent financial crime, including the implications for existing regulation in the field.

Penerapan Lampu Penerangan Jalan Umum Otomatis Tenaga Matahari di Nagari Lagan Mudik Punggasan

Street lighting is needed to ensure road users' smooth running and safety. Lack of light will create a high risk of accidents and crime on the road. Many areas in Indonesia in general and West Sumatra in particular, mainly rural areas, still need street lighting due to the need for regional capacity to provide lighting on public roads. This activity implemented street lighting in Nagari Lagan Mudik Punggasan, Linggo Sari Baganti District, Pesisir Selatan District, West Sumatra Province. A total of five light units have been installed in four different locations. Installation of lights using a pole made of wood as high as 4 meters on the 20 KV distribution electricity post and the welcome board of the village. The lights work automatically and can be active when dark and off when bright. The lamp's working principle utilises solar panels, which produce electricity during the day. The source of electrical energy used by the light comes from a battery that a solar panel has charged. This system is expected to overcome the village's lack of street lighting and use clean, environmentally friendly energy sources.

Chemical injury for a sexual attack on a minor person: the question of the amendment of other criminal legal measures

In connection with the increase in the number of cases of violent acts related to sexual crimes, some countries have adopted legislation that provides for the use of chemical castration as a criminal-legal measure of a medical nature. The positions of defenders and opponents of the use of this method are analyzed, and the effectiveness of chemical castration as a means of preventing repeated crimes is also investigated. This topic is relevant for justice, medicine and the public, as it concerns serious issues of human rights and the ethics of using medical methods for law enforcement purposes. It can be argued that the introduction of chemical castration will be appropriate to counter the pandemic of sexual crimes against minors, but this issue has many acute angles. It is important not to level the voluntary nature of this procedure by depriving the person of the right to choose. The basis for castration must be a socially dangerous act, the harmful consequences of which must be commensurate with the interference with the normal reproductive activity of a person. Some studies have shown that chemical castration can reduce the risk of repeat crimes related to sexual activity. However, other studies indicate that chemical castration is not a universal means of preventing recidivism, and its effectiveness depends on the specific situation. New research also focuses on the ethical aspects of using chemical castration, including the issues of informed patient consent, possible side effects, and the duration of castration. In addition, it examines whether chemical castration can be used as an alternative to punishment, as is commonly done in criminal law situations. In our opinion, chemical castration is an innovation in the criminal legal field of Ukraine. But it needs thorough discussion and testing in practice. We investigated the issue of sexual crimes against particularly vulnerable persons and followed the changes made to the criminal legislation of Ukraine in recent years.

Camera-based security system application at Perumahan Taman Embong Anyar 1, Dau District, Malang

At Taman Embong Anyar 1 Housing Complex in Dau District, Malang, there is a high crime risk due to residents' activity patterns and open access to residential areas. One of the community's biggest issues is a lack of understanding of using security technology. As an alternative to monitoring the situation in residential areas, CCTV installation and operation assistance are needed to increase environmental security. Beginning with a survey of the areas where CCTV must be installed, the CCTV system must then be selected, installed, and its operation explained to all users. The residents can use and maintain the CCTV system as a result of the entire series of activities. The environment is made more secure and the workload of security officers is minimized with the installation of CCTV.

Crime prevention in special (free) economic zones

The objective of the study was to determine the specific aspects and prospects of crime prevention in special economic zones as special economic and geographical entities. In the course of the research a set of practical methods was applied: doctrinal, comparative and prognostic approach. The risk of crime in the zones depends on the particular economic activity and the actors involved. The current criminal structure in free trade zones is dominated by illegal trade and infringement of intellectual property rights. However, the structuring of crime commonly depends on two factors: a) the division of zones into external/internal; and b) characteristics of the economic system of the country where the zone is located. The entities dedicated to crime prevention are classified as special and non-special, with international entities and representatives of the private sector standing out. It is concluded that the prospects for crime prevention in this area are related to the involvement of the capacities of international actors and the action of representatives of the private sector, taking into account the particular characteristics and conditions of countries with a transitive economy and a particular legal system.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and the risk of violent crime conviction in Sweden: a nationwide, register-based cohort study

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to violent crime in veteran populations. However, whether there is a link between PTSD and violent crime in the general population is not known. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesised association between PTSD and violent crime in the Swedish general population and to investigate the extent to which familial factors might explain this association using unaffected sibling control individuals. This nationwide, register-based cohort study assessed individuals born in Sweden in 1958-93 for eligibility for inclusion. Individuals who died or emigrated before their 15th birthday, were adopted, were twins, or whose biological parents could not be identified were excluded. Participants were identified and included from the National Patient Register (1973-2013), the Multi-Generation Register (1932-2013), the Total Population Register (1947-2013), and the National Crime Register (1973-2013). Participants with PTSD were matched (1:10) with randomly selected control individuals from the population without PTSD by birth year, sex, and county of residence in the year of PTSD diagnosis for the matched individual. Each participant was followed up from the date of matching (ie, the index person's first PTSD diagnosis) until violent crime conviction or until being censored at emigration, death, or Dec 31, 2013, whichever occurred first. Stratified Cox regressions were used to estimate the hazard ratio of time to violent crime conviction ascertained from national registers in individuals with PTSD compared with control individuals. To account for familial confounding, sibling analyses were conducted, comparing the risk of violent crime in a subsample of individuals with PTSD with their unaffected full biological siblings. Of 3 890 765 eligible individuals, 13 119 had a PTSD diagnosis (9856 [75·1%] of whom were female and 3263 [24·9%] of whom were male), were matched with 131 190 individuals who did not, and were included in the matched cohort. 9114 individuals with PTSD and 14 613 full biological siblings without PTSD were also included in the sibling cohort. In the sibling cohort, 6956 (76·3%) of 9114 participants were female and 2158 (23·7%) were male. Cumulative incidence of violent crime convictions after 5 years was 5·0% (95% CI 4·6-5·5) in individuals diagnosed with PTSD versus 0·7% (0·6-0·7) in individuals without PTSD. At the end of follow-up (median follow-up time 4·2 years, IQR 2·0-7·6), cumulative incidence was 13·5% (11·3-16·6) versus 2·3% (1·9-2·6). Individuals with PTSD had a significantly higher risk of violent crime than the matched control population in the fully-adjusted model (hazard ratio [HR] 6·4, 95% CI 5·7-7·2). In the sibling cohort, the risk of violent crime was also significantly higher in the siblings with PTSD (3·2, 2·6-4·0). PTSD was associated with increased risk of violent crime conviction, even after controlling for familial effects shared by siblings and in the absence of SUD or a history of violent crime. Although our results might not be generalisable to less severe or undetected PTSD, our study could inform interventions that aim to reduce violent crime in this vulnerable population. None.

Cyber Risk and Impact of Cyber Crimes on User's Online Victimization

Data protection, information security and system security are often referred to as cyber security. So if you do some security research in general, you're likely to see these words very often: information security, data security, system security, cyber security, there are so many different names and terms that relate to a very deep technical point of almost the same thing. But at a very high level, there are really no variations, it's really one of the same stuff that you're all focusing on the same thing so that digital data is protected by cyber security.We are going to discuss different methodologies for network safety which will explain you personality and access managers. A vital device in information security is personality and access to the board. It shows the periods in which such data consents are permitted to different customers and in what settings. This encryption of information means that confidential data cannot be accessed by selected customers on selected occasions. The risk of infiltration and digital assaults is significantly reduced by personality and access to executives.Cyber security's primary aim is to prosecute offenders or protect data. Criminal investigations are discussed to obtain evidence of illegal conduct. In this situation, this is important for identifying the devices, computers, cell phones, etc. used in illegal activity and deciding if the suspect used these devices in the crime.In the result we have made a pilot study against worldwide cyber-attacks with their types has been consolidated in a range and then a solution has been suggested accordingly.

Tax evasion and money laundering through crowdfunding: a comparative study of the laws of Mauritius, UK and US

Purpose The phenomenal proliferation of crowdfunding platforms raises concerns on the heightened occurrence of financial crimes since billions of funds are exchanged through these online systems frequently. Accordingly, some countries have implemented legislative responses to address these risks, although each countries’ laws have varying degrees of severity. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency and robustness of Mauritian laws to combat financial crimes that may arise from a crowdfunding transaction with a particular emphasis on money laundering and tax evasion. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this research objective, the black letter approach was used to analyse Mauritian rules and regulations on the researched topic and a comparative analysis was carried out against the corresponding laws on crowdfunding in some other jurisdictions, notably the UK and the USA with the view of suggesting the policy recommendations to Mauritian authorities. Findings It was found that there is still scope for improving the existing legal and regulatory framework on crowdfunding in Mauritius to prevent instances of money laundering and tax evasion. The paper suggests that a crowdfunding operator must be categorised as a reporting person and must carry out regular due diligence checks. There must also be more collaboration in terms of information exchanges and training sessions among the tax authority of Mauritius, crowdfunding operators, fund seekers and investors to shed light on the tax treatment of income and deductions to avoid issues of tax evasion. Originality/value At present, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is amongst the first academic writings on the efficiency of Mauritian laws in dealing with the risk of financial crimes through crowdfunding, and also, because existing literature is quite scarce on assessing the adequacy of crowdfunding rules in developing countries, this research aims at filling in the gap in literature. The study is carried out with the aim of combining a large amount of empirical, theoretical and factual information that can be of use to various stakeholders and not only to academics.

Crime Risk Analysis of Tangible Cultural Heritage in China from a Spatial Perspective

Tangible cultural heritage is vulnerable to various risks, particularly those stemming from criminal activity. Through analyzing the distribution and flow of crime risks from a spatial perspective based on quantitative methods, risks can be better managed to contribute to the protection of cultural heritage. This paper explores and summarizes the spatial characteristics of crime risks from 2011 to 2019 in China. Firstly, the average nearest neighbor (ANN) and the Jenks Natural Breaks Classification method showed that the national key protected heritage sites (NPS) and crime risks exhibit clustering features in space, and most of the NPS were located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. Secondly, the economy has no impact on crime risks in the spatial statistical analysis. However, the population density, distribution of NPS, and tourism development influenced specific types of crime risks. Finally, Global Moran’s I was used to examine the strong sensitivity between crime risks and cultural relics protection policies. The quantitative results of this study can be applied to improve strategies for crime risk prevention and the effectiveness of heritage security policy formulation.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OF HATE SPEECH CRIMINALS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA BASED ON INDONESIA’S POSITIVE LAW

Technological developments have provided convenience for people in various aspects of life. To prevent and deal with the negative impacts of technological developments, effective and efficient efforts are needed. This includes implementing appropriate laws and regulations to protect society from technological crime. Government and non-government organizations, as well as technology companies, also need to work together to strengthen cyber security, increase public awareness of the risks of digital crime, and educate users about safe practices in using technology. The normative juridical research method that you mentioned is the right approach to study laws and legal theories related to criminal acts, especially hate speech through social media, based on Indonesian positive law. The statutory approach in normative juridical research focuses on an analysis of existing laws and regulations. Referring to the Chief of Police Circular Letter Number SE/06/X/2015 concerning Handling Hate Speech, the police pay attention to and implement preventive measures in dealing with hate speech. The circular letter provides guidance for law enforcement officials in handling hate speech cases. The handling of hate speech in Indonesia is helped by the existence of the ITE Law which contains more detailed rules regarding crimes committed through electronic media, but also presents several obstacles, firstly the police factor, where complaints are still being made. Many perpetrators do not understand that their actions are defamation. They think what they are doing is just a demonstration of bullying or dissatisfaction with a party. Even if the act harms another person, it can be prosecuted

Evidencing source of wealth–challenges, questions, solutions and recommendations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it highlights areas of disconnect between how the financial services sector in the UK approaches the requirement to evidence source of wealth when conducting customer due diligence; the requirements of the UK’s laws and regulations in relation to evidence source of wealth; and the expectations of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in this regard. It then proposes an alternative approach to evidencing source of wealth.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews have been carried out among compliance professionals in UK financial services.FindingsThis paper provides rare insight into the anti-money laundering arrangements of UK banks, an area that has not yet been widely researched in the academic literature. It highlights a lack of legal certainty in the UK’s laws and regulation around anti-money laundering and argues that the expectations of the FCA exceed both the letter and the spirit of the laws. It suggests that mixed messages disseminated by the FCA have incentivised banks to shift their focus from financial crime risk (i.e. preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, etc.) towards regulatory risk (i.e. the risk of falling foul of regulatory expectations) and proposes a change to the law and regulatory guidance to enhance the level of legal certainty needed for the law to be effective.Practical implicationsThe paper makes suggestions for a more practical and risk-based approach to anti-money laundering compliance and for a much-needed change in the law.Originality/valueIt provides unique insight into the due diligence challenges of financial services firms and argues for the FCA to propagate a more risk-based approach to enhanced due diligence.

The use of virtual social networks during the anticipatory phase to reduce perceived crime risk and increase trust in organizers

PurposeAcademics recently identified a lack of research regarding who should guide interactions in virtual social networks when risks appear. Data shows that organizers are usually less active than other users in this context, which can lead to negative reactions among attendees. This research examines if and how virtual social network communication guided by an official source (vs a nonofficial source vs control group) reduces perceived crime risks and trust before the event, leading to lower ambivalence and higher intention to attend. The study was conducted in Colombia, a country where many individuals face this type of risk.Design/methodology/approachFirst-year university students (N = 210) from Colombia were invited to a “Welcome Cocktail”. Two weeks before the cocktail, they were divided into three groups (70 per condition) to receive information. In Group 1, participants were invited to be part of a WhatsApp group administered by one of the organizers. In Group 2, they participated in a WhatsApp group administered by a student. Group 3 was the control (i.e. no virtual communication established before the event). One week after the meeting, they were gathered again and answered a questionnaire, which measured perceived crime risk, trust, ambivalence and intention to attend.FindingsParticipants in the WhatsApp group administered by an official source perceived lower risk and higher trust in the organizers, which led to lower ambivalence towards the event and higher intention to attend it. The relationship between ambivalence and intention to attend is moderated by the nationality of the participants (locals vs foreigners), such as, at equal levels of ambivalence, foreigners show lower intention to attend the event.Originality/valueThis is the first study that compares different approaches on a virtual social network to reduce perceived crime risk in event management. The results present new findings on how the presence of an official source can mitigate this risk, and which potential attendees (i.e. locals vs foreigners) are especially benefited from it. The findings are particularly useful for managers in regions where attendees face crime risks every day, and might feel low trust towards public and private institutions, such as in Colombia.

Risk and protective factors of youth crime: An umbrella review

Risk and protective factors of youth crime: An umbrella review

Impact of base rate information on estimated risk of recidivism of sex offenders in Japan

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the public’s estimates of recidivism risk among sex offenders and the ways those estimates are impacted by base rate information. Participants were 400 individuals (200 males and 200 females) in Japan recruited by a web-based research company. Each participant was allocated to either the experimental group with or the control group without base rate recidivism information and asked to estimate the recidivism rate of a sex offender after release from prison. The results show that the average estimated recidivism rates were 54.4% and 33.8% in the control and experimental groups, respectively, indicating a significant difference (Welch’s t (389.70) = 8.32, p < .001, Cohen’s d = .83). However, even the experimental group’s average estimated rate was much higher than the actual national base rate of 17.0%. Multiple regression analysis revealed that punitive attitudes toward crime and confidence in estimation significantly contributed to higher estimates of recidivism risk, whereas sex, age, and fear of crime did not. These results suggest that the public overestimates the recidivism rate of sex offenders and that simply presenting a base rate is not sufficient for risk communication. Practical implications and future research directions are also discussed.

Hospitality workers' awareness and training about the risks of online crime and the occurrence of cyberattacks

With the development of new technologies, cyber security risks have become a matter of great concern among hospitality managers. This work studies the relationship between hospitality workers' awareness and training about the risks of cybercrime on one hand, and the number of cyberattacks suffered by firms on the other. Using representative data for EU-27 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in 2021, we show that hospitality firms whose workers are not properly aware of cyber risks are victim of more security breaches. However, current formal training practices are not being successful at decreasing the attacks suffered. Moreover, cybercrimes are positively associated with the use of personal devices and firms’ degree of digitalization. Our findings have important implications for hospitality management, suggesting that (i) better ICT training is needed to decrease the likelihood of suffering cyberattacks, and (ii) the use of personal devices at work is a commonly neglected risk factor.

Interaction of Crime Risk across Crime Types in Hotspot Areas

Repeat and near-repeat victimization are important concepts in the study of crime. The incidence of repeat offenses within a single type of crime has been confirmed. However, the study of the circumstances existing across crime types requires further investigation. This article investigates whether the phenomenon of near-repeat crime exists in different types of crime by studying the spread of crime risk within different crime types. Taking Suzhou City as the research area, a DBSCAN-based algorithm is proposed, which can detect a large number of important and stable hotspots through the multi-density self-adaptation of algorithm parameters. Pearson correlation is used to analyze the risk correlation between different types of crime. In different crime hotspots, the types of crime and the spread of crime risk among different types is also different. After a crime occurs, identifying the risk can aid crime prevention.

Towards social fairness in smart policing: Leveraging territorial, racial, and workload fairness in the police districting problem

Recent events (e.g., George Floyd protests) have shown the impact that inequality in policing can have on society. Thus, police operations should be planned and designed taking into account the interests of three main groups of directly affected stakeholders (i.e., general population, minorities, and police agents) to pursue fairness. Most models presented so far in the literature failed at this, optimizing cost efficiency or operational effectiveness instead while disregarding other social goals. In this paper, a Smart Policing model that produces operational patrolling districts and includes territorial, racial, and workload fairness criteria is proposed. The patrolling configurations are designed according to the territorial distribution of crime risk and population subgroups, while equalizing the total risk exposure across the districts, according to the preferences of a decision-maker. The model is formulated as a multi-objective mixed-integer program. Computational experiments on randomly generated data are used to empirically draw insights into the relationship between the fairness criteria considered. Finally, the model is tested and validated on a real-world dataset about the Central District of Madrid (Spain). Experiments show that the model identifies solutions that dominate the current patrolling configuration used.