NCJ Number
242134
Date Published
2013
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This 2012 Internet Crime Report was compiled by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which receives Internet-related complaints, conducts research related to them, and develops related analytical reports for State, local, Federal, tribal, and international law enforcement and/or regulatory agencies; if appropriate, these agencies then develop investigations based on the forwarded information.
Abstract
In 2012, the IC3 received 289,874 consumer complaints, with 114,908 of the complaints involving an adjusted dollar loss of $525,441,110, which is an 8.3-percent increase in reported losses since 2011. In response to this increase, the IC3 expanded its efforts to inform the general public about online scams by publishing several public service announcements and providing additional tips for Internet consumers. In furthering its continuing support of foreign law enforcement, the IC3 prepared dozens of country-specific statistical reports and disseminated hundreds of complaint referrals to FBI Legate officers throughout the world. In 2013, the IC3 will continue its mission to serve the online public as well as law enforcement and regulatory agencies throughout the world. Victims file complaints with the IC3, which go into the extensive IC3 database. IC3 analysts review and analyze individual complaint data, identifying and grouping complaints with similar information. These complaints are collated and referred to appropriate agencies worldwide. Analysts also collect relevant case information from both open- and closed sources. The IC3 encourages victims of Internet crime to report all incidents to the IC3, whether or not a dollar loss is involved. The various types of scams about which the IC3 has received complaints briefly described. A number of tables, figures, and exhibits are presented. Appended online crime prevention tips and supplementary data