Young People More Often Victims than Older Adults

The number of victims of online crime differed little between women and men, and across educational levels. However, young people were more often affected than older adults: 20 percent of those aged 15 to 25, compared to 10 percent of those aged 65 and older. The difference between younger and older age groups was greatest in cases of online threats and intimidation.

After Online Crime, 37 Percent Have Less Trust in People

Victims of online crime most often reported that after the incident they had less trust in people (37 percent), and felt less safe (30 percent). They reported less often sleep problems, depressive complaints, and anxiety complaints, and less often indicated that they relived the incident repeatedly.

Less trust in people was most often mentioned as a consequence by victims of online fraud and scams (42 percent). Feeling less safe, sleep problems, depressive complaints, reliving the incident repeatedly, and anxiety complaints were most often reported by victims of online threats and intimidation.