Theoretical Analysis and Practical Reflection on “Knowing” in the Crime of Assisting Information Network Criminal Activities in the Context of Emerging Cybercrimes
Abstract:
To combat emerging cybercrimes and punish various forms of assistance in such offenses, the Amendment (IX) to the Criminal Law introduced the crime of “Assisting Information Network Criminal Activities”. With the issuance of judicial interpretations and the implementation of the “Card Severance Action”, its judicial application has surged. However, significant theoretical and practical disputes have arisen, particularly regarding the interpretation and determination of “knowing”. Issues include inconsistencies in definition, ambiguity in degree, and uncertainty about its object, stemming from the crime’s legal nature and the unique attributes of “knowing”. Recognizing this crime as an independent offense based on aiding conduct, and considering the special nature of “knowing”, its definition should be refined as “knowing or being aware of the possibility”, its degree clarified as “specific awareness or conditional general awareness”, and its object identified as “harmful conduct fitting a specific type of crime”. Additionally, “knowing” in this context is unidirectional and not limited by the stage of participation. These clarifications aim to ensure the precise and standardized application of this offense, strengthening the crackdown on cybercrime assistance.
为应对新型网络犯罪所带来的冲击,惩治各种新型网络犯罪帮助行为,《刑法修正案(九)》新增了“帮助信息网络犯罪活动罪”。在司法解释的出台和“断卡行动”的背景下,该罪的司法适用呈活跃之势。但该罪在适用中出现了诸多理论纷争与实践争议,其中最为突出的是该罪“明知”的理解与认定问题。该罪“明知”认定存在内涵不一、程度不清、对象不明的现实问题,其根源在于本罪的性质评价与“明知”的特殊属性。在确定本罪性质为帮助行为入罪的独立罪名,并综合考虑“明知”的特殊属性后,需界定“明知”的内涵为“知道或知道可能”,明晰“明知”的程度为“具体性认识或有条件的概括性认识”,厘清“明知”的对象为“符合具体犯罪行为类型的危害行为”,同时明确本罪“明知”单向且不受参与阶段限制,以便促进本罪的规范适用,更精确有力地打击各种网络犯罪帮助行为。