Collaboration between Law Enforcement Agencies in Combating Cybercrime: Implications of a Taiwanese Case Study about ATM Hacking

Abstract

An increasing number of cybercrimes has presented new global challenges to law enforcement agencies that traditionally operate within designated geographical jurisdictions and patrol territories. The borderless nature of cyberspace has brought substantial opportunities—both legal and illegal—to its users, and many local law enforcement agencies have encountered motivated offenders taking advantage of the globally connected Internet and causing damage locally and transnationally. This study examines a high-profile case of European criminals who hacked into a Taiwanese financial institution—First Commercial Bank (FCB)—and programmed its ATMs to “spit out” cash netting the thieves $2.6 million US dollars in 2016 summer. Before the incident of FCB, this European criminal group committed more than a hundred similar ATMs hackings, victimizing dozens of financial institutions across several European countries, and profiting over one billion Euros. FCB is the only case revealing specific details about the modus operandi of ATM hacking thus far, in addition to disclosing reactions from law enforcement. By analyzing qualitative data collected from different branches of law enforcement involved in the investigations, this unique case study underscores the importance of national-local law enforcement collaboration in fighting transnational cybercrime. Empirical implications are particularly valuable in the law enforcement context of “turf jealousies” when defending homeland security.

Implications of FCB Case

“…The magnitude, scope, speed, and impact of cyber threats is constantly evolving. To secure their homeland, law enforcement have to keep updating their investigative capacity in information technology, and the most effective approach is through cross-agency collaborations (Wang et al, 2020). In democratic countries, collaborations between local agencies often require local supports to satisfy the principle of self-governing.…”

“…In conjunction with several mistakes made by the criminals, a cohesive collaboration of national-local law enforcement and clearly separated and focused tasks among investigating law enforcement agencies is the key that Taiwanese authorities could solve the FCB case within a week (Wang, Hsieh, Chang, Jiang, & Dallier, 2020). In addition, the front-line coverage of FCB case accompanied with lots of public attention and pressure, which pushed collaboration on roles of network and leadership among law enforcement agencies (Waugh & Streib, 2006).…”

Rural policing in China: Criminal investigation and policing resources for police officers

“…This is because rural policing units find it difficult to pay for the travel costs of police officers. For interregional criminal investigations, different police units can also cooperate by wanted notices [ 56 , 57 ]. However, this often requires two requirements to be fulfilled, i.e., a clear suspect and a relatively close proximity.…”

Measures to combat cybercrime: analysis of international and Ukrainian experience

“…It should be borne in mind that the traditional mechanisms of international cooperation, including requests, mutual assistance and other similar tools used in the XIX century are inappropriate in an era when Vol. 39 Nº 69 (Julio -Diciembre 2021): 115-132 crimes can occur from anywhere in the world at the speed of light (Wang, 2021).…”