noun
copycat criminal; copycat crime
Refers to a person who imitates a widely reported crime, or the crime itself. Often used in news and criminology contexts.
警察は模倣犯の出現を警戒している。
The police are on alert for the emergence of copycat criminals.
あの事件の後、模倣犯による同様の犯罪が増えた。
After that incident, similar crimes by copycats increased.