In our current society, it is apparent that victims are more likely to be offenders for cybercrime. Cybercrime results are suggesting these offenders participate in low0self control and routine activities. Crime will always be a thing, but the means of which or how it happens are everchanging constantly. These crimes are taking place in a digital context and space, whereas many traditional crimes were in forms of physical convergences with offenders and victims.
Through cybercrime, it is pretty apparent that cybercrime offenders and victims are largely affected by low self-esteem, partaking in risky online routine activities, substance abuse, and different socio-economic status. Although cybercrimes are typically committed in a different context compared to traditional crimes, the relationship between the traditional offenders and victimization are the strongest for violent crimes. Per definition of transitional crimes, it requires physical interaction between victims and the offenders.
Some of these interactions can be explained from the risks like low self-esteem or the way someone grew up. Some forms of cybercrime are easier to carry out, they may provide the serotonin or dopamine rush, instant gratification. These events can possibly provide multiple opportunities for the offender too, perhaps digital piracy. It is noted that these attacks were specific. The targeting for victims was random, usually resulting from the personal characteristics and behaviors of the victims. As stated before, those with low self-esteem. It would be easier to target them because they would not appear to be very confident with their standings, therefore easier to influence into doing something.
Another risk factor of online routine activity is the fact that it may enable digital conversation of such offenders and victims. It then may be associated with cybercrime offender-victim overlaps. It was reported that individual involvement of these cybercrime activities may significantly increase risk of victimization. On top of that, it may be correlated that increased time spent using internet connected devices, social media, email, may increase these risks for interpersonal victimization like online harassment.
Marleen Weulen Kranenbarg, Thomas J. Holt & Jean-Louis van Gelder (2019) Offending and Victimization in the Digital Age: Comparing Correlates of Cybercrime and Traditional Offending-Only, Victimization-Only and the Victimization-Offending Overlap, Deviant Behavior, 40:1, 40-55, DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2017.1411030