Thesis Talk: Philanthropic Practices within the Cybercriminal Community

To goal of this series is to introduce my Master’s thesis students, who have each dedicated months of hard work to exploring important topics in their fields. I believe their efforts deserve recognition and their insights can inspire others. In short interviews, we dive into their research, their motivations, and what they’ve learned along the way. Today's spotlight is on Can Inac , who wrote his thesis about Philanthropic Practices Within the Cybercriminal Community.

My thesis sheds light on the fact that cybercriminals are not simply malicious individuals, but rather people driven by diverse motives and complex reasoning — all of which need to be understood rather than ignored.

What was the topic of your thesis? What was the topic of your thesis?

I explored an intriguing question in my thesis: Do cybercriminals engage in philanthropic practices by donating portions of their illicit income to good causes? Hence, my research explored the intersection of cybercrime and charity, shedding light on how these underground communities may interact with broader social issues.

What inspired you to choose your thesis topic?

As an aerospace engineer at heart (and by education), I gained a lot of practical and theoretical knowledge in the aerospace field already. Hence, for my master’s thesis, which I considered my probably final scientific project, I wanted to explore something completely different; something I had absolutely no knowledge about; something that nobody ever explored before. Hence, I chose a topic purely based on my personal interests: psychology, philosophy and criminology.

What did you do?

For my thesis, I conducted a netnographic study of the dark web, analysing forums and websites frequented by cybercriminals. My goal was to uncover discussions around philanthropy within this tightly-guarded community. I also conducted interviews with notorious hackers — along with a few drug vendors — individuals collectively responsible for extorting billions of dollars. This research provided fascinating insights into the mindset and ethics of those operating in the cybercriminal world.?

How do you think your research contributes to the future of your field?

Cybercrime isn’t going away—it’s only getting more sophisticated. Imagine sitting in your future autonomous vehicle and receiving a ransomware demand, with the alternative being a deliberate crash. Therefore, it is critical that we start understanding the underlying motivations and tactics of cybercriminals—not just to prevent future attacks, but to deter potential new offenders from entering this world. My thesis sheds light on the fact that cybercriminals are not simply malicious individuals, but rather people driven by diverse motives and complex reasoning—all of which need to be understood rather than ignored.

In what ways did your thesis prepare you for your current career or future plans?

My thesis led to a pivotal career shift—after nearly 15 years in the aviation industry, I transitioned into the fight against (cyber)crime. This research was a key factor in launching my new and exciting career. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to continue making an impact in this critical field.

What advice would you give to students currently working on their master thesis?

A master’s thesis is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay steady, keep your momentum, and don’t forget to smile along the way! The journey may be long, but the reward is worth it.

Thank you, Can!

A final thought from me as Can's supervisor:

I always applaud students who dare to leave well-trodden paths and want to explore exciting and unconventional topics. Certainly, Can's work was special as he had to gather data from a hard-to-reach group. Above all, the safety of my students is highest priority. The way Can ensured anonymity and safety for him and his sources by still being transparent about his role as a researcher was remarkable. In case of doubt, we sought legal advice and discussed critical issues.

I think we need people like Can who are both courageous and open enough to explore and understand the dark areas in our society. Only this way, we can learn and work towards a better future for everyone.

Also, I would like to thank my colleague Gerhard Sch?nhofer who supported with his expertise on (n)ethnographic studies.