Scientific Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs

The purpose of this article is to identify and characterize the main means of misappropriation of a passport or other important personal document. Based on our analysis, we aim to propose effective crime prevention measures. To achieve this goal, the author analyzed the case law and the materials of the pre-trial investigation. Methodology. In the course of the research specific sociological methods were used: mass questioning and examination of documents, in particular court decisions and materials of criminal proceedings, which made it possible to penetrate more deeply into the essence of the main ways of unlawful possession of a passport or other personally important document. The statistical method made it possible to compare the conclusions drawn from the sociological methods, which helped to determine whether the regularities established during the mass surveys and study of documents are typical and justified. The scientific novelty of the publication is that it outlines the problematic issues of the misappropriation of personal important documents. The author first examines in detail the ways that are most characteristic of the misappropriation of personal important documents. The article formulates the concept of the most common ways of misappropriation of a passport or other personal important document, outlines their content and essence, considers the category of “crime mode” and its place in the criminological characteristics of the offender and criminology as a whole. Conclusions. Based on the results of a scientific search, five main ways of misappropriation of a passport or other personally identifiable document are identified, including: theft, misappropriation, acquisition, extortion of documents, fraudulent misappropriation. According to the results of the study, it becomes possible to establish effective measures for the prevention of the crimes in this category