Masquerading the Government: Drivers of Government Impersonation Fraud

Abstract

This article uniquely examines the drivers of government impersonation across US states. Government impersonation is a relatively new white-collar crime that is slowly being recognized by policy makers and largely ignored by researchers. Results show that it is the decentralized government structure, rather than government size, that significantly affects government impersonation. Greater diffusion of the Internet and economic freedom also contribute to impersonation fraud, while urbanization has a mitigating effect. The share of elderly residents, democratic governorships, or the distance of a state from the nation’s capital did not appreciably impact government impersonation but impacted overall fraud. Interestingly, greater enforcement employment results in more fraud coming to light. Some of the factors impacting government impersonation fraud differ from those affecting overall fraud. Therefore, blanket policies to combat overall fraud would not necessarily be effective in checking government impersonation.

Managing the risk of COVID‐19 via vaccine passports: Modeling economic and policy implications

“…9 This might prevent some from not seeking vaccinations or not applying for passports, which would adversely impact the demand for related goods. The risks of potential data leakages, through identity theft (Goel, 2019 ) or government impersonation (Goel, 2021b ), could also have wider implications such as a loss of trust in the government.…”

“…), or it may wholly or partially subcontract the supply of passports to a private vendor. On the negative side, government involvement might engender possibilities of fraud (Goel, 2021a , 2021b ). Such fraud could entail both monetary and nonmonetary costs.…”

“…On the negative side, government involvement might engender possibilities of fraud (Goel, 2021a(Goel, , 2021b. Such fraud could entail both monetary and nonmonetary costs.…”

Who Can You Trust? Assessing Vulnerability to Digital Imposter Scams

“…Reduced trust can have implications in the realm of support for government spending (Chanley et al, 2000 ), as well as willingness to engage in online communications with these entities (Bélanger & Carter, 2008 ). Ultimately, it is a concern that these scams might undermine the authority of the federal government and its ability to carry out its’ core responsibilities like administering policy and enforcing laws (Goel, 2021 ). These scams additionally create inefficiencies, as the existence of these scams necessarily redirects resources toward public education and trainings geared toward reducing their adverse impacts that could otherwise be going toward essential services.…”

Hold your fire! Influence of female legislators on gun legislation in the United States

“…https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/gender-quotas/quotas.3 Given the legislative lags involved, government secrecy, legislative coalitions and lobbying(Goel 2014(Goel , 2021, and so on, it is unclear from the popular press reports that a certain gun legislation(s) came about mainly due to increased women's legislative presence. However, among others, Senator Diane Feinstein was widely acknowledged for her advocacy for gun control (https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/29/dianne-feinstein-lawmakersreaction-00119048; also see https://www.womenspress.com/bills-to-protect-victims-of-gender-based-violence/ for evidence from Minnesota; and https://www.americanprogress.org/article/state-womens-leadership-continue-changing-face-u-s-politics/ for a broader discussion of the influence of women's leadership).…”