NCJ Number
200129
Date Published
June 2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This document discusses reducing and preventing crimes on the Internet.
Abstract
The increase in the use of the Internet has provided new opportunities for criminals using old techniques. Criminals are attracted to the Internet because it lets them reach millions of people with little or no personal contact, a higher degree of anonymity, few resources, easy escape, the ability to work across State and national boundaries, and easy transfer of ill-gotten gains to out-of-State or out-of-country bank accounts. Crimes such as the distribution of child pornography, are harder to locate, trace, and prove because of the ease with which offenders can use the Internet. Stalking, identity theft, and child molestation have also been committed with ease on the Internet. There is no single entity with the responsibility of patrolling the Internet, but those that use the Internet have numerous opportunities to report wrongdoing. A number of Federal or federally sponsored agencies have been given power to address criminal behavior on the Internet. The six major organizations enforcing Internet protections are the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the National Fraud Information Center. Only 1 in 10 Internet-related crimes is reported to any law enforcement agency. There are three national centers for reporting some specific crimes. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center handles many “property” crimes involving fraud or potential fraud. The Cybertipline takes reports on those crimes that victimize or threaten children and teens. The Identity Theft Clearinghouse helps direct consumer complaints and provides a database for law enforcement agencies investigating identity theft crimes. Some of the kinds of thefts that take place over the Internet are use of stolen credit cards, sale of counterfeit goods, pyramid, piracy of intellectual property, and fraudulent or altered documents. Internet auction fraud is also a major concern. To help people learn to be safe on the information superhighway, several principles apply. A few of these principles are demonstrating positive results, repeating core messages, and documenting and engaging the power of collaborative action. 23 endnotes