Background: As older adults spend more time online, exposure to cybercrime increases. Factors that constellate in old age are associated with greater susceptibility, suggesting that older demographics might face increased risks, though evidence is limited. Methods: We analysed responses from 35,069 participants aged 16+ in the 2019/20 Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). We tested our hypotheses that, due to a higher prevalence of vulnerabilities associated with ageing, increasing age would predict greater likelihood of cybercrime victimisation, repeat victimisation, and resulting financial loss. Results: Contrary to our hypothesis, 16-24s were most likely to report cybercrime, though as hypothesised, poor health was associated with victimisation. Participants of Black and mixed ethnicities were more likely to report victimisation than White participants. 75+'s were most likely to report repeat cybercrime victimisation (OR 2.03, p=0.074) and associated financial loss (OR 4.25, p=0.037) relative to 16-24s. Discussion: Older adults may under-report less-serious victimisation relative to younger adults, reflecting a lower propensity to report their victimisation to authorities. Equally, older victims may be less able to avoid repetition and loss. Future developments should focus on empowering older adults to recognise and report cybercrime early. Ethnic disparity in victimisation warrants investigation.

Research Note: Cybercrime victimisation among older adults: a probability sample survey in England and Wales