CHALLENGES OF INVESTIGATING FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES IN CYBERSPACE

Resumen

The rapid digitalization of social relations, development of financial technologies, and expansion of electronic communications have led to the emergence of new forms of fraudulent conduct in cyberspace and significantly complicated the mechanisms for their detection and suppression. Unlike traditional fraud, cyber fraud is characterized by transnationality, technological adaptability, remote influence on victims, and the active use of digital infrastructure, which creates additional challenges for investigation, proving, and ensuring cybersecurity. Under such conditions, countering fraudulent activities in cyberspace requires not only procedural responses but also the integration of criminal justice mechanisms with cyber defense and cybersecurity systems. The article presents a comprehensive study of the problems of investigating fraudulent acts in cyberspace and focuses on theoretical, procedural, and organizational aspects of this activity. A theoretical and legal characterization of cyber fraud is proposed, and a multi-level classification model is developed based on the method of fraudulent influence, object of encroachment, technological environment, degree of automation, and jurisdictional structure. It is substantiated that such classification has practical significance because it determines the structure of digital traces, affects the organization of investigation, and influences the methods of collecting and evaluating digital evidence. Particular attention is devoted to the analysis of legal, technical, and procedural barriers that complicate the coordination of national investigations of cyber fraud. The study identifies fragmented regulation, differences in approaches to digital evidence, jurisdictional uncertainty, technological asymmetry, and insufficient standardization of interagency cooperation as key factors reducing investigative effectiveness. It is argued that growing cyber threats require stronger institutional coordination and more advanced mechanisms of cybersecurity governance. The article also examines the main methodologies for collecting and preserving digital evidence and highlights the importance of maintaining authenticity, integrity, and chain of custody. It is demonstrated that the evidentiary value of digital information depends on compliance with procedural requirements and the use of forensic methods adapted to the digital environment. Based on the results obtained, recommendations are proposed to improve cooperation among public authorities, private entities, and international digital platforms through standardization, information exchange, professional training, and strengthening cybersecurity and cyber defense capacities.