HotNews No. 159: The role of attorneys in protecting victims of cybercrime

Cyber fraud: why victims are often left on their own – and how an attorney makes the difference

Cybercrime is no longer an exception—it has become part of everyday life. Crypto scams, fake investment platforms, phishing schemes, fraudulent brokers, and promises of “guaranteed profit” deprive a large number of people of their money. The real problem arises when victims, after the fraud has already occurred, realize that the system often does not fully understand what actually happened to them.

When a victim knows they were defrauded, but cannot prove it

Most victims come forward with a firm belief that they have been defrauded, but without a clear understanding of how to prove it. Cyber fraud does not resemble classic theft—there is no direct perpetrator, no physical contact; there are only digital traces: platforms, accounts, transactions, messages, and links. Without professional legal assistance, such cases often remain unresolved.

The role of the attorney: from personal experience to a legally relevant case

In these matters, the attorney helps the victim understand what exactly happened and whether the elements of a criminal offense exist. The attorney’s role is to connect digital traces into a legally coherent whole and to present the case to institutions in a manner that is understandable and procedurally sustainable.

Why many cyber fraud cases are never prosecuted

A large number of cyber fraud cases never reach a judicial outcome because action is taken too late, evidence is not properly collected, or criminal complaints are inadequately drafted. In such situations, the attorney plays a crucial role in preventing the case from being dismissed as a mere “poor investment decision.”

A message to victims of cybercrime

If you have been defrauded online or through crypto platforms, it does not mean that you are guilty or careless. Cyber fraud schemes are often sophisticated and professionally designed. The difference between a dismissed case and a serious legal proceeding very often depends on whether you have an attorney who understands cybercrime.

Attorney-at-Law
Zoran Miljaković