What motivates youngsters to get into cybercrime?

[frogboy]

A UK National Crime Agency report, which is based on debriefs with offenders and those on the fringes of criminality, explores why young people assessed as unlikely to commit more traditional crimes get involved in cyber crime.

Motives and opportunities
It emphasises that financial gain is not necessarily a priority for young offenders. Instead, the sense of accomplishment at completing a challenge, and proving oneself to peers in order to increase online reputations are the main motivations for those involved in cyber criminality.

During
his debrief, Subject 7, who was jailed for Computer Misuse Act and fraud offences, told officers, “…it made me popular, I enjoyed the feeling… I looked up to those users with the best reputations”.

Full Article. What motivates youngsters to get into cybercrime? - Help Net Security

 

[Deleted member 178]

The motivations are basically the same than 30 years ago, but now the "financial" aspect takes more importance because planting a ransomware is the easy way to get cash.

 

[Ink]

Heard this on the radio. They don't think before they act, but that's a common trait with most people, in anything they are doing.

 

[Winter Soldier]

The fact is that many talented guys are from the other side of the fence.
Money is not the only motivation, breaking the rules and challenging other people as them is a big goal that rewards these actions.

 

[jamescv7]

The power of technology comes with massive curiosity.

For example hacking, youngsters are amazed on how through coding can change the way of behaving the system; especially on some scenes that are engage in heavy cyberwar.

Also are not afraid on the possible consequences since major companies will look for them to hire for improving security.