Victims of online fraud often face multifaceted harm—financial, psychological, and legal—that extends beyond the immediate impact of the crime. This presentation explores the current ecosystem of services and initiatives aimed at supporting victims and equipping the public with tools to prevent victimization in the first place.

Support services for victims have expanded significantly in recent years, driven by governments, financial institutions, and civil society actors. These include legal aid programs that assist victims in navigating complex claims and seeking restitution, psychological counseling that addresses trauma and loss of trust, and financial mechanisms such as chargebacks, insurance, and compensation funds.

Parallel to these services, awareness and education initiatives have emerged as preventive tools. Public campaigns, digital literacy programs, school curricula, and community-based workshops help individuals recognise fraud schemes and adopt safer online practices. Financial institutions and digital platforms also contribute by issuing real-time alerts, offering security tips, and enabling secure transaction environments.

Together, these components form a growing support and awareness ecosystem that addresses the immediate and long-term needs of online fraud victims. However, challenges remain, especially in cross-border coordination, accessibility of services, and reaching vulnerable populations. By mapping this ecosystem, the presentation highlights promising practices and areas where enhanced cooperation and investment are needed to ensure comprehensive protection for victims.

A pilot study was conducted to explore the psychological responses of individuals who have experienced online fraud, with a particular focus on their motivation to seek help from law enforcement. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were carried out with victims of various forms of internet-based scams. The participants shared their initial reactions to the crime, including feelings of shock, confusion, self-blame, and shame. Many described a strong emotional impact, including anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and a lasting sense of vulnerability.

The study also explored how these emotional and psychological experiences influenced their decisions regarding whether or not to report the crime to authorities. While some participants did seek help, others hesitated or refrained from doing so due to fear of judgment, lack of trust in the system, or feelings of embarrassment. The findings suggest that victims of online fraud may be particularly susceptible to secondary victimisation—further psychological harm caused by the reactions of others, including law enforcement personnel.

The results highlight the importance of a sensitive and trauma-informed approach when dealing with victims of online fraud. Due to the unique nature of this type of crime—often involving deception, trust violations, and personal exposure—victims tend to experience heightened emotional vulnerability. Law enforcement professionals must be aware of these psychological dynamics and respond with empathy, validation, and support. Addressing victims’ emotional needs during the reporting process is essential not only for their well-being but also for encouraging future help-seeking behavior.

The effectiveness of efforts to combat online fraud hinges on the strength and coordination of legal and policy frameworks across international, EU, and national levels. Online fraud—including phishing, identity theft, and financial scams—transcends borders, challenging traditional enforcement mechanisms. While international instruments such as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and cooperation through Interpol, Europol, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime have laid critical foundations for cross-border enforcement, their impact is often limited by inconsistent national implementation and jurisdictional barriers.

At the EU level, regulatory initiatives like the General Data Protection Regulation, the Directive on Combating Fraud of Non-Cash Means of Payment (2019/713/EU), and the Digital Services Act have increased accountability and data security requirements. These measures, together with operational bodies like the European Cybercrime Centre and ENISA, have improved coordination and response capabilities. National governments have also taken steps to strengthen their legal frameworks, establish dedicated cybercrime units, and promote inter-agency cooperation.

Despite these developments, the overall effectiveness of anti-fraud measures remains uneven. Key obstacles include fragmented legal responses, technological gaps, and limited real-time intelligence sharing. To enhance impact, international and national actors must prioritize the harmonization of legal standards, boost investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, and institutionalize agile cooperation mechanisms between law enforcement, regulators, and the private sector. Only through such coordinated and adaptive strategies can states effectively deter, investigate, and prosecute online fraud while ensuring robust protection for victims.

The investigation and prosecution of online fraud cases present significant challenges due to the evolving nature of cybercrimes, jurisdictional complexities, and the anonymity afforded by digital platforms. Online fraud includes phishing, identity theft, financial scams, and data breaches, often orchestrated by sophisticated criminal networks operating across multiple jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies face difficulties in tracking perpetrators who use encryption, virtual private networks, and cryptocurrency to conceal their identities and transactions. The lack of standardized international legal frameworks further complicates cross-border cooperation, making evidence collection, extradition, and prosecution more challenging.

Moreover, the dynamic and rapidly advancing nature of technology often outpaces existing legal provisions, creating loopholes that cybercriminals exploit. Digital evidence, essential for prosecution, is susceptible to tampering, deletion, or loss, requiring specialized forensic expertise to ensure its admissibility in court. Many jurisdictions also struggle with inadequate legal provisions for addressing emerging fraud tactics, leading to inconsistencies in prosecution and sentencing.

Victims of online fraud frequently face obstacles in reporting cases, as law enforcement agencies may lack the resources, technical expertise, or jurisdictional authority to pursue investigations effectively. Delayed responses and bureaucratic inefficiencies further hinder the justice process. Strengthening cybersecurity laws, enhancing law enforcement capabilities, fostering international cooperation, and investing in advanced forensic tools are crucial steps to address these challenges. Public awareness and collaboration between government agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies are also vital in improving fraud detection, investigation, and successful prosecution, ensuring justice for victims and deterrence for offenders.