UKRAINE ARTICLE ON COMPUTER CRIME A Latency of Computer CrimesDate: April 05, 2004
Source: Computer Crime Research Center
By: Victor Sabadash


Computer technologies and international computer systems created a new environment. This environment favours crimes of national and transnational levels. Criminal formations and specialists in illegal business use the newest technologies to the full extent for money laundering, distributing of false information, unauthorized access to information systems and other violations. Revenues from these crimes rank third after incomes from drugs and arms trade [1]. A threat of computer crime also represents a significant support of the organized criminality for performing violent crimes, act of terrorism in particular [2].

Besides, computer crimes are often committed quietly, without any fuss. A mechanism and modus operandi of computer crimes are typical and latent. So, according to FBI, between 85% and 97% crimes are not even revealed [3]. Some other experts estimate the latency of computer crimes to reach 80% in the USA, up to 85% in the UK, 75% in Germany, more than 90% in Russia [4]. Less than 1% of crimes reach the court in the West, where the statistics on computer crimes is more reliable and large. At that, according to specialists’ statements the inspection allows to reveal not more than 10% of e-thefts [5].

The article is topical because along with the obvious threat, which is posed by computer crimes for international community and certain success of law enforcement in fighting it, the level of latency of these crimes remains high.

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