Understanding the Intersection Between Technology and Kidnapping: A Typology of Virtual Kidnapping

No longer limited by geographic locations and in-person interactions, criminals leverage information communication technology to commit virtual kidnappings. In its simplest form, a kidnapping is cyber-enabled crime where contact targets (falsely) claiming have kidnapped significant other, child, or other relative threatening cause death serious bodily harm the person unless ransom paid. Overall, little known about kidnappings characteristics of actors groups that this crime. To identify these characteristics, article conducts an in-depth, case study analysis based on systematic review more than 7000 news reports, official court documents between January 2000 March 2022. The aims are twofold. First, identifies intersection place within broader literature. Second, develops comprehensive typology in-depth 75 cases involved in crime, including: whether committed individually, with another actor, as part group; if there ties transnational organized crime; gender nationality actors; size, structure, roles members any identified groups; actors’ groups’ tactics, tools, targets, areas operation, modus operandi. research findings can assist criminal justice agencies identification, investigation, prosecution, adjudication