Have offender demographics changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Evidence from money mules in South Korea

• Published in: Journal of criminal justice 2024-03, Vol.91, p.102156, Article 102156
• Main Authors: Hong, Sunmin, Jeong, Dohyo, Kim, Pyung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Interreupted time series; Money mules; Offender demographic changes; Routine activities
• ISSN: 0047-2352; 1873-6203
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102156

This study aims to investigate how the demographic characteristics of offenders have changed after the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, our research focuses on shifts in the nationality, gender distribution, and age profiles of money mules during this period. We utilized arrest reports data provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in South Korea, including all 1407 individuals arrested for money mules in Seoul from February 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021. Our findings, derived from interrupted time series analyses, show a decrease in the percentage of non-Korean money mules, an increase in the proportion of female individuals engaged in money mule activities, and a rise in the average age of money mules after the outbreak of the pandemic. These insights hold significant implications for developing targeted policy interventions to mitigate potential threats associated with money mule activities. •The demographic characteristics of offenders have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic.•The percentage of foreign (non-Korean) money mules has decreased since the onset of the pandemic.•The proportion of female money mules has increased since the onset of the pandemic.•The average age of money mules has increased since the onset of the pandemic.