VIRTUAL CRIMES AND ISSUES OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

This article analyzes the theoretical and practical problems of establishing criminal liability for crimes committed in virtual space. The subject of the research is criminal-law relations related to cyberbullying, online grooming, deepfake, avatar identification, virtual property and digital evidence. On the basis of comparative-legal, systemic, logical-legal and empirical methods, gaps in national legislation are identified and the need to introduce special elements of crimes, aggravating circumstances and procedural rules concerning digital evidence into the Criminal Code is substantiated. The results may be applied in adapting criminal legislation to the conditions of digital transformation, improving judicial and investigative practice, effectively protecting victims and developing prevention policy