Cryptocurrencies and future financial crime

【Author】 Trozze, Arianna; Kamps, Josh; Akartuna, Eray Arda; Hetzel, Florian J.; Kleinberg, Bennett; Davies, Toby; Johnson, Shane D.

【Source】CRIME SCIENCE

【Abstract】Background: Cryptocurrency fraud has become a growing global concern, with various governments reporting an increase in the frequency of and losses from cryptocurrency scams. Despite increasing fraudulent activity involving cryptocurrencies, research on the potential of cryptocurrencies for fraud has not been examined in a systematic study. This review examines the current state of knowledge about what kinds of cryptocurrency fraud currently exist, or are expected to exist in the future, and provides comprehensive definitions of the frauds identified. Methods: The study involved a scoping review of academic research and grey literature on cryptocurrency fraud and a 1.5-day expert consensus exercise. The review followed the PRISMA-ScR protocol, with eligibility criteria based on language, publication type, relevance to cryptocurrency fraud, and evidence provided. Researchers screened 391 academic records, 106 of which went on to the eligibility phase, and 63 of which were ultimately analysed. We screened 394 grey literature sources, 128 of which passed on to the eligibility phase, and 53 of which were included in our review. The expert consensus exercise was attended by high-profile participants from the private sector, government, and academia. It involved problem planning and analysis activities and discussion about the future of cryptocurrency crime. Results: The academic literature identified 29 different types of cryptocurrency fraud; the grey literature discussed 32 types, 14 of which were not identified in the academic literature (i.e., 47 unique types in total). Ponzi schemes and (synonymous) high yield investment programmes were most discussed across all literature. Participants in the expert consensus exercise ranked pump-and-dump schemes and ransomware as the most profitable and feasible threats, though pump-and-dumps were, notably, perceived as the least harmful type of fraud. Conclusions: The findings of this scoping review suggest cryptocurrency fraud research is rapidly developing in volume and breadth, though we remain at an early stage of thinking about future problems and scenarios involving cryptocurrencies. The findings of this work emphasise the need for better collaboration across sectors and consensus on definitions surrounding cryptocurrency fraud to address the problems identified.

【Keywords】Cryptocurrencies; Fraud; Ponzi Schemes; Bitcoin; Virtual Currency

【标题】加密货币和未来的金融犯罪

【摘要】背景：（利用）加密货币诈骗已成为全球日益关注的问题，各国政府报告称（利用）加密货币诈骗的频率和损失都在增加。尽管涉及加密货币的诈骗活动越来越多，但对加密货币的诈骗潜力还没有进行过系统的研究。本综述研究了目前存在哪些种类的加密货币诈骗和预计未来会存在哪些种类的加密货币诈骗，并对确定的诈骗行为进行了全面的定义。方法：该研究涉及对加密货币欺诈的学术文献调研和灰色文献的范围核查以及为期1.5天的专家共识法。该审查遵循PRISMA-ScR协议，其资格标准基于语言、出版物类型、与加密货币欺诈的相关性以及已提供的证据。研究人员筛选了391份学术记录，其中106份进入了资格审查阶段，其中63份最终被分析。我们筛选了394份灰色文献资料，其中128份进入了资格审查阶段，其中53份被纳入我们的审查范围。来自私营企业、政府和学术界的知名人士参加了专家共识活动，它涉及问题规划、分析以及关于加密货币犯罪未来的讨论。结果：学术文献确定了29种不同类型的加密货币欺诈；灰色文献讨论了32种类型，其中14种是学术文献中没有确定的（即总共47种独特的类型）。所有文献中讨论最多的是庞氏骗局和高收益投资方案。专家共识活动的参与者将拉高抛售和勒索软件列为最有利可图和可行的威胁，尽管拉高抛售明显被认为是危害最小的欺诈类型。结论：这次文献范围综述的结果表明，加密货币欺诈研究在数量和广度上都在迅速发展，尽管我们对涉及加密货币的未来问题和情景的思考仍处于早期阶段。这项工作的结果强调，需要更好地进行跨领域合作，并就围绕加密货币欺诈的定义达成共识，以解决所发现的问题。

【关键词】加密货币；欺诈罪;庞氏骗局；比特币；虚拟货币

【发表时间】2022

【收录时间】2022-01-28

【文献类型】Review

【论文大主题】区块链政策法律

【论文小主题】区块链法律

【影响因子】0.000

【翻译者】丁子仪