Denying victim status to online fraud victims: the challenges of being a 'non-ideal victim'

Online fraud victimisation affects millions of individuals globally. The effects of online fraud victimisation can be devastating, and extend far beyond pure financial losses, to a deterioration of physical health and emotional wellbeing, depression, relationship breakdown, unemployment, homelessness and in extreme cases, suicide. Despite the prevalence of victimisation and the severity of its impact, it remains a contested area, whereby there is a strong victim blaming attitude towards those who respond to fraudulent approaches. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding online fraud victimisation including a strong negative stereotype that victims are greedy, gullible, uneducated and somewhat deserving of their victimisation. This stereotype works as a barrier to silence and stigmatise individuals who are fearful to disclose their victimisation to family, friends, law enforcement and other third parties. Consequently, victims of online fraud remain a hidden group, with limited ability to access any informal or formal support services to assist in their recovery. Using Christie’s (1986) notion of the ‘ideal victim, this chapter examines how online fraud victims are denied the status of victim despite the offences perpetrated against them. Through an application of the five characteristics that Christie (1986) asserts constitute an ideal victim, this chapter explores the challenges that currently exist for online fraud victims to be recognised as legitimate victims, and the factors which operate to deny them of this victimisation status. This chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications for online fraud victims in the current environment. It advocates the need for change to better respond to online fraud victims, rather than exacerbating or adding to the trauma they have already experienced at the hands of offenders