Predictive models for cyber crime: law enforcement perspective

Abstract

The purpose of dissertation is to study the factors responsible for successful investigation-charge sheeting-of cybercrime with ultimate objective of its prevention and detection in India in general and Karnataka in particular. This study is a pioneering and extra-ordinary study because actual, empirical data pertaining to29lreported cybercrime cases in five states of India-Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Delhi-. is used. All the data was obtained from the enforcement agencies in these states Thirty three variables namely type of offence, motive for offence, investigation time, case finalization, network crime, cooperation of internet service providers, involvement of cyber cafe, and damage amount etc. Were extracted using domain knowledge. These variables cover profile of offenders/victims, crime details, motive of accused, modus operandi, emerging cybercrimes in the country. Issues like public private participation, cybercrime police stations, and cyber cafes were also explored. It was found that the factors responsible for charge sheeting a case in Karnataka and Rest of India are not exactly same however predominant factor contributing to charge sheeting of cybercrime cases in Karnataka and rest of India was cooperation of complainant. One significant finding was that, in Karnataka, cyber crime moved away from being insider crime to become outsider crime. Another important finding was that only 9% to 19% of reported cybercrime is fully investigated by police and about 20% of registered cases are successfully investigated-charge sheeted- and only two cases were convicted. It is predicted that the number of cases reported in Karnataka, in the year 2008, will be220 and registered will be 42. The average investigation time in Karnataka to successfully investigate a case will be 275 days. The study gains importance in view of submission of select parliamentary committee's report- on Information Technology Amendment Bill, 2006 introduced in the Parliament in December 2006- for discussion/approval/enactment. The recommendations include enhancing data protection and security measures by banks, education about cyber crime, enhancing responsibility of service providers to cooperate with investigation agencies,