Computer crimes cover a broad range of potentially illegal activities. These crimes are usually divided into two categories:
- Crimes that target computer networks or devices directly, such as malware and malicious code or viruses.
- Crimes enabled by computer networks or devices with the primary target being independent of the computer network or device, such as cyber stalking, fraud and identity theft or phishing scams.
Internet Fraud Increased by 33%
In the year 2008, there were 275,284 complaints, an average of $931 for every complaint, filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), as reported by the FBI in a yearly report published March 9, 2009. The IC3 operates a website to collect and refer complaints about Internet fraud. After the data is collected, the information is referred to law enforcement agencies for investigation. The Internet Crime Complaint Center is a partnership between the FBI and the nonprofit National White Collar Crime Center.
California, New York, Florida, Texas and the District of Columbia were home to half the perpetrators of computer fraud in the United States. Worldwide, the instigators of cyber crimes were in the U.S. (66.1%), the United Kingdom (10.5%), Nigeria (7.5%) and Canada (3.1%).
The scams prompting the most complaints to the IC3 and the average amount of money lost per complaint in 2008 were:
- Non-delivery of merchandise/payment $800 (32.9%)
- Auction fraud $610 (25.5%)
- Credit/debit card fraud $223 (9%)
- Confidence fraud $2,000 (7.9%)
- Computer fraud $1,000 (6.2%)
- Check fraud $3,000 (5.4%)
- Nigerian letter fraud $1,650 (2.8%)
The 2008 figures reported by the FBI represented a 33% increase in complaints and a $25 million increase in losses over 2007. E-mail and web pages were the two primary mechanisms used for the cyber crimes. The need to be vigilant and cautious online, particularly in transactions, cannot be stressed enough. The IC3 web site address is located in the Sources at the conclusion of this article.
Cyber Crime Help is Available for Victims
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) accepts online Internet crime complaints from either the person who believes they were defrauded or from a third party to the complainant. The IC3 web site has valuable information and tips for preventative measures that will assist in being informed prior to entering into transactions over the Internet. Prevention tips involving:
- Auction Fraud
- Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks
- Credit Card Fraud
- Debt Elimination
- DHL/UPS
- Employment/Business Opportunities
- Escrow Services Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Internet Extortion
- Investment Fraud
- Lotteries
- Nigerian Letter or “419”
- Phishing/Spoofing
- Ponzi/Pyramid
- Reshipping
- Spam
- Third Party Receiver of Funds
Daily Information on Internet Fraud and Scams
The Computer Crime Research Center is a site that offers daily news about the latest computer crime, internet fraud and scams. This site offers information to the Internet user and the public in general. In a report of April 2, 2009, the research center reported that spam is regaining popularity and reports on Smartphones being targeted by hacking.
With the recent activities, the public is once again reminded to employ strong security measures on their computers, included installing the latest anti-virus software and having a firewall in place. The public should be aware of the potential dangers associated with spam e-mail. Opening, responding to, or clicking on attachments contained in unsolicited e-mail may be harmful and should be avoided.
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