Distinct group, distinct traits? A comparison of risk factors across cybercrime offenders, traditional offenders and non-offenders.

Individual differences associated with cybercrime offending remain under-researched. To address gaps in the literature and inform intervention, the current study compares cybercrime offenders, traditional offenders, and non-offenders in terms of risk factors for offending and online situational influences. We construct a survey using previously validated measurements, completed by 1,240 Dutch panel members aged 16 to 25. Two multinomial logistic regression models are estimated separately for cyber-dependent offenders and financial cybercrime offenders. Analysis reveals that cybercrime offenders overlap but also differ from traditional offenders. Cyber-dependent offenders seem to be a particular distinct offender group, while financial cybercrime offenders more closely resemble traditional offenders. Factors related to school, work, and leisure, but also personality, manifest differently for cybercrime: what was typically considered protective against traditional offending, such as higher levels of self-control, may actually provide opportunities to engage in cybercrime. Further longitudinal and experimental research is needed to support these conclusions.