Unauthorized Access to Bank Accounts and E-Money in E-Commerce as Cyber-Economic Crime

Abstract

The development of digital technology has driven the growth of e-commerce and the use of electronic money (e-money). However, it has also given rise to new forms of crime, particularly cybercrime, which can cause financial losses to victims and potentially affect economic stability. This article systematically reviews the main ideas presented in documents discussing the unauthorized access to bank accounts and e-money in e-commerce transactions as forms of economic crime. The review demonstrates that cybercrime in this context is economically motivated, technology-enabled, transnational in nature, and difficult to address using conventional criminal law frameworks. The findings emphasize the need to reform criminal law, strengthen regulations governing electronic transactions, and enhance the protection of digital service users. Digital technology can accelerate a nation’s economic growth; therefore, technology plays an important role in national development. Nevertheless, technological advancement has also been accompanied by the emergence of new forms of digital crime, particularly cybercrime as a form of economic crime. Accordingly, this study addresses the following research question: How does criminal law view the unauthorized access to bank accounts and electronic money in e-commerce as an economic crime? The study aims to examine the concept of criminal law in addressing cybercrime as a form of economic crime. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to criminal law reform in response to new forms of crime arising from contemporary technological developments. The research employs a normative juridical method. The findings indicate that cybercrime may be classified as an economic crime when its primary motive concerns property or financial gain. If such crimes are left unaddressed, they may negatively affect the national economy by reducing public confidence and willingness to conduct online transactions or deposit money in bank accounts, which may ultimately contribute to economic decline. In conclusion, crimes committed within cyberspace may constitute economic crimes. One example examined in this study is the unauthorized access to bank accounts, including incidents occurring in connection with e-commerce. E-commerce itself refers to transactions conducted through advanced technology between individuals who may be geographically distant from one another and who do not need to interact face-to-face.