Papers by Cristina Cretu-Adatte
Cet article explore les complexités de la gestion des gains financiers illicites parmi les cyberf... more Cet article explore les complexités de la gestion des gains financiers illicites parmi les cyberfraudeurs ivoiriens, en mettant en lumière les résultats d'une étude de terrain menée en Côte d'Ivoire par des équipes de recherche suisses et ivoiriennes. L'étude comprenait des entretiens avec des cybercriminels, des agents des forces de l'ordre et des experts en la matière, dans le but de répondre à une question spécifique : Quelles stratégies les cyberfraudeurs ivoiriens utilisent-ils pour gérer et blanchir les produits criminels provenant des arnaques sentimentales et de la sextorsion ? Les résultats explorent les tactiques employées par les cyberfraudeurs pour dissimuler les flux financiers illicites, leurs structures organisationnelles, ainsi que les stratégies qu'ils adoptent pour gérer et utiliser leurs gains. L'étude confirme certains éléments de la littérature scientifique, tout en introduisant de nouvelles perspective pour une meilleure compréhension des processus de blanchiment d'argent.
Journal of economic criminology, Feb 1, 2024
This article delves into the organisation of Ivorian cyberfraudsters, known as "brouteur... more This article delves into the organisation of Ivorian cyberfraudsters, known as "brouteurs", who engage in romance scams and sextorsion, and it questions the various structures through which these fraudsters operate. The study's findings are based on data collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with cyber-fraudsters in Abidjan during a two-month field trip. The statements made by the brouteurs were analysed using thematic content analysis, which highlighted various roles and activities undertaken assumed by different individuals within these groups. A relatively clear trend emerges regarding the structure of these groups and the social connections within their organisation. It is possible to distinguish between sextorsion and romance scam groups, on one hand non-hierarchical and more fluid and opportunistic, on the other hierarchical, with defined roles and activities, engaged in other serious offenses. Both have international connections, may them be accomplices, money mules, underground bankers or corrupt public agents. While brouteurs acknowledge that "Everyone is part of a network.", these first results show different forms of organisation of cybercriminal Ivorian groups. The question which follows is whether these groups constitute cybercriminal networks or organised cybercrime. Future research in this direction, such as the development of crime scripts, can help institutions take effective measures to combat the transnationalisation of cyberfraud.
Journal of Economic Criminology , 2024
This article delves into the organisation of Ivorian cyberfraudsters, known as "brouteurs", who e... more This article delves into the organisation of Ivorian cyberfraudsters, known as "brouteurs", who engage in romance scams and sextorsion, and it questions the various structures through which these fraudsters operate. The study's findings are based on data collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with cyber-fraudsters in Abidjan during a two-month field trip. The statements made by the brouteurs were analysed using thematic content analysis, which highlighted various roles and activities undertaken assumed by different individuals within these groups. A relatively clear trend emerges regarding the structure of these groups and the social connections within their organisation. It is possible to distinguish between sextorsion and romance scam groups, on one hand non-hierarchical and more fluid and opportunistic, on the other hierarchical, with defined roles and activities, engaged in other serious offenses. Both have international connections, may them be accomplices, money mules, underground bankers or corrupt public agents. While brouteurs acknowledge that "Everyone is part of a network.", these first results show different forms of organisation of cybercriminal Ivorian groups. The question which follows is whether these groups constitute cybercriminal networks or organised cybercrime. Future research in this direction, such as the development of crime scripts, can help institutions take effective measures to combat the transnationalisation of cyberfraud.
Uploads
Papers by Cristina Cretu-Adatte