Crimes patrimoniais na era digital : contribuições da teoria das atividades rotineiras

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the phenomenon of property crimes committed through virtual means and sought to understand the changes in patterns of property crimes in Brazil using the Routine Activity Theory (RAT) by Cohen and Felson (1979). To this end, the main research question guiding the scientific inquiry is summarized as follows: What are the contributions of Routine Activity Theory in explaining the changes in patterns of property crimes? The hypothesis proposed is that the increasing use of digital media, without accompanying effective protection measures and awareness of cybersecurity, contributes to user vulnerability and facilitates access for potential criminals. The scientific method applied was hypothetical-deductive, as the study seeks to explore arguments that may confirm or refute the established hypothesis. National public data from the Brazilian Public Security Forum on the rise in property-related cybercrimes was collected, focusing especially on the periods before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. In the end, it was found that the significant increase in the use of ICTs during the pandemic contributed substantially to the rise in virtual property crimes, and that Routine Activity Theory is a valuable tool for understanding the new dynamics of vulnerability and crime opportunities in the digital age.