Victimization by Specific Cybercrimes: Examining Determinants, Protective Measures, and Online-Offline Polyvictimization among Swedish Adults

Abstract Cybercrime has become an increasingly pervasive issue in the digital age, impacting individuals across diverse demographics. This study examines cybercrime victimization among Swedish adults, focusing on 10 distinct types, namely, phishing, fraud, identity theft, malware infections, hacking, general harassment, sexual harassment, privacy violations, defamation, and threats of violence. Utilizing a nationally representative sample of 480 individuals, the research investigates the prevalence of cybercrime and how factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, technological proficiency, and past offline victimization affect cyber victimization risk. Findings reveal significant trends in cyber-polyvictimization and underscore the importance of protective measures in mitigating specific cybercrime risks. This study enhances our understanding of cybercrime dynamics within Sweden’s adult population and suggests future research avenues, particularly in refining theoretical models and exploring the interplay between risk factors, protective measures and various cybercrime victimization types.