Cyber fraud using modern technologies: Threats and legal aspects of counteracting

Abstract

The paper addresses the issue of cyber fraud as a type of fraud committed in cyberspace. The primary objective is to draw attention to the threats entailed by the use of modern technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain technology, to commit this crime. This subject is presented from a criminological and criminal-law perspective. In the former respect, the trends and scale of the phenomenon are analysed, with reference to the dynamics of progress in the IT field and specific examples of cyber fraud, following an analysis of the etymological issues relating to the terms cyberspace and cyber fraud. Regarding the criminal law aspects, specific EU and national regulations related to counteracting the discussed practices were analysed in detail, such as the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), the Polish Penal Code, and the Act on Combating Abuse in Electronic Communication. Thus, the research was based on the formal-dogmatic method with empirical elements. On this basis, final conclusions are drawn. Cyber fraud constitutes a serious, rapidly growing threat in which perpetrators increasingly utilize modern technologies. A key problem remains the victims’ lack of familiarity with these tools. Effective counteraction against these phenomena requires continuous adaptation of criminal provisions to technical progress, strengthening international cooperation between law enforcement agencies, and implementing systemic educational programs to raise public digital awareness.