ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the negative consequences that victim blaming has in relation to online fraud victims. It examines the negative stereotype that surrounds online fraud victims and positions them as greedy, gullible, uneducated and somewhat deserving of their victimisation. Since the emergence of 'victimology' in 1940, there has been a substantial amount of focus on the role of the individual victim and their part in causing or contributing to their victimisation. Another type of victim typology focuses on the relationship between the victim and offender, and is evident in the work of von Hentig who put forward 13 victims, based on their degree of culpability exhibited in the incident. Nils Christie wrote a seminal piece entitled 'The Ideal Victim'. In this, he argues that 'being a victim is not a thing, an objective phenomenon. It will not be the same to all people'.
