Summary

I am Director of the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth. We are the focus for research, teaching and knowledge services in counter fraud and related issues.

We have conducted research on a wide range of areas for bodies that include the Home Office, National Fraud Authority, EPSRC, Sentencing Council, Cifas, Midlands Fraud Forum, Crowe Clark Whitehill to name some. 

I also have an interest in private policing, security management and the regulation of it and have been involved in helping to develop the standards for this for the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime.  

 

Biography

I completed my first degree in Politics at the University of Exeter. My Masters was in Industrial Relations at the University of Warwick. I received my doctorate from the London School of Economics. I also hold a PgCert in Teaching and Learning from the University of Portsmouth. I am also a Fellow of the Security Institute. 

I joined the University of Portsmouth in 1997 and rose from Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer, Reader to Professor in 2012. I was also Associate Head (Curriclum) of my department between 2004-2012.

Before coming to the University I was a Research Assistant to the Rt Hon Bruce George MP. I have also served as a Councillor on Portsmouth City Council.  

Research interests

My research interests began with private policing with an interest in non-state contributions to policing. This led me to fraud where this is largely the case. Along that journey I have developed interests in the following areas: 

Counter fraud 

Cyber-frauds 

Computer misuse 

Victims of fraud and computer misuse 

Fraud measurement 

Private policing 

Security management 

Private security regulation 

Doctoral supervision 

I am interested in candidates who wish to research any of my main areas of research interest identified above. 

Media availability

I am available to the media to discuss any issues relating to my research interests. 

Research outputs

2025

Strategic business movements? The migration of online romance fraudsters from Nigeria to Ghana

Button, M., Garba , K., Hughes, M., Lazarus, S., Soares, A. B.

1 Mar 2025, In: Journal of Economic Criminology. 7, 7p., 100128

Assessing human trafficking and cybercrime intersections through survivor narratives

Button, M., Chaing, M., Lazarus, S.

25 Feb 2025, In: Deviant Behavior, 18p.

The profile and detection of bribery in South Korea

Button, M., Hock, B., Oh, J., Park, H.

1 Feb 2025, In: Crime, Law and Social Change. 83, 16p., 15

Policing cross-border fraud ‘Above and below the surface’: mapping actions and developing a more effective global response

Button, M., Hock, B., Koh , C. S., Suh, J. B.

10 Jan 2025, In: Crime, Law and Social Change. 83, 27p., 5

2024

An exploratory study of victimisation and near misses in online shopping fraud

Button, M., Cross, C., Edwards, M., Whittacker, J.

19 Nov 2024, In: Global Crime, 21p.

Disseminating fraud awareness and prevention advice to older adults: perspectives on the most effective means of delivery

Button, M., Hawkins, C. D., Shepherd, D. W. J., Tapley, J.

23 Oct 2024, In: Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 16p.

Public perceptions of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria and the European Union

Button, M., Obe, A. R.

23 Sep 2024, In: Journal of Financial Crime, 12p.

An assessment of convicted cryptocurrency fraudsters

Button, M., Garba, K. H., Lazarus, S.

18 Sep 2024, In: Current Issues in Criminal Justice , 17p.

View all my research outputs