Revenko N.I. —
Ideal traces as an element of the forensic characteristics of "Your relative got into trouble" frauds
// Law and Politics. – 2024. – ¹ 8.
– P. 45 - 56.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0706.2024.8.71447
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/lpmag/article_71447.html
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Abstract: The subject of the study is the ideal traces formed when committing frauds against the elderly, using the method of providing false information by phone that their close relative or acquaintance was in a traffic accident and needed help. The mechanism of formation of traces for this type of fraud depends on the method of its commission in modern conditions, when fraudsters remotely convince victims to transfer money through a courier. When committing these crimes, a set of ideal traces is formed, which in criminology include the testimony of victims, witnesses, suspects, and accused. The investigator's knowledge of the typical features of the ideal traces of the type of crime under consideration will allow to establish the mechanism of committing a criminal act, identify the circle of witnesses to the crime, determine the list of investigative actions aimed at collecting evidence. Research methods: the research is based on comparative legal, formal legal, systemic structural and specific sociological methods. The analysis of the materials of criminal cases allowed us to conclude about a certain set of ideal traces formed during the commission of the type of fraud in question. At the initial stage of the investigation, the testimony of the victims, who provide complete information about the event of the crime, is of great importance. The paper provides the author's justification for the conditions of presentation for the identification of a suspect by voice. Among the close relatives or acquaintances of the victim, three groups of witnesses have been identified who should be questioned during the investigation of the type of crimes in question. These include persons whose name the fraudsters presented themselves to; persons to whom the victim reported the incident and persons who are eyewitness. The ideal traces for this category of fraud include the testimony of suspected couriers, who, as a rule, plead guilty and give confessions. The testimony of other persons who contacted the courier and have information about the crime event is also important.