The internet is probably the most powerful tool for communication in the 21st century. It has made the world more connected and much smaller. For instance, you can be in another country and still keep in touch with your family 24/7 by virtue of internet.
With advanced internet tools and mechanisms, it is no surprise that some people take advantage of the ease of communication and informal interaction the internet offers. Meeting complete strangers online is so much easier. The thrills of being anonymous lead some people to shed off their shyness and become more adventurous.
Meeting online is certainly different from meeting a person face-to-face. Online chatrooms make the getting to know you process a whole lot easier and faster. If chatting is not your thing then there are plenty of other options for you to meet people like emails, forums, message boards, social networking websites like MySpace and Friendster, blogging and so many others.
The internet, unfortunately, does not only generate positive results. Just as there are advantages for using internet, disadvantages are not far behind. There are things to be wary when using the internet. Like, giving personal details to a complete stranger, meeting people you met online with no chaperones, providing misleading information such as providing the wrong age or posting another person’s picture in the profile.
There are a lot of opportunities to cheat or lie through the internet. Consequently, Internet crime happens. A number of crimes and the perpetrators are getting more and more creative in their approaches.
What exactly is Internet Crime?
Internet crime means is any crime committed on the internet or through the internet. As the internet becomes more sophisticated, so do the crimes.
It is easy to fall prey to internet crimes. The internet crime could be as petty as spam emails or, worst, one that could lead to deaths. It is usual for internet users to have their emails bombarded with spam messages. Forwarded chain-letters could be a culprit. Others send scam letters asking for money or detailing some elaborate schemes. Still others, deliberately infect others’ computers with viruses, use pirated software or steal someone else’s articles or an infringement on intellectual property laws.
There are other internet crimes are grave enough to merit attention. These crimes include phishing, credit card frauds, espionage, child pornography, online stalking, kidnappings and even murder due to online chats and so on.
Internet Crime Schemes
These are but a few of the internet crimes committed regularly online. Internet users must beware if they come across these situations:
Action Fraud
Action fraud is an internet crime that involves misrepresentation of a product being sold online or not delivering the product bought through online sites.
Action Fraud- Romania
Similar operation as action fraud, the main difference is the money is transferred to US banks and routed to Romania or Latvia.
Fake Cashier’s Check
Online sellers are the target of this crime. The buyer would issue a cashier’s check to the seller at an amount much higher than required. The excess supposedly will cover shipping expenses. The seller is then instructed to deposit the excess amount to the seller’s account or back to the buyer often located in Nigeria.
Banks often release the money upon encashment in case of cashier’s check. The seller then sends the money to the buyer. The bank then informs the seller that the check was fake and that he should pay the amount released by the bank.
Credit Card Fraud
Online transactions requiring credit card payments could be harmful if the website is not secured. Credit/Debit card numbers are used to steal money.
Employment/Business Opportunities
A person from US is hired for work-at-home job requiring reselling or reshipping of goods to places outside US.
The employees are then paid through checks from a US companies supposedly creditors of the foreign employer. The amount of check is usually excessive. The employee is instructed to deposit the excess to the employer’s account. Upon clearing,
Debt Elimination
This is a form of identity theft. In this form of crime, a website advertises legal way to pay mortgage or credit card. The con artist then issues bonds and promissory notes to the lender in behalf of the participant. The victim is asked to pay $1,500 to $2,000 plus disclose confidential personal information to the perpetrator. Also, the victim is asked to sign special power of attorney to allow the con man to enter transactions in behalf of the victim.
Phishing
The latest crime to strike the internet is phishing. Phishing means soliciting by fraudulent emails personal financial information such as bank accounts to get access to the depositor’s money.
Worse Crimes
Internet crime could lead to worse crimes such as kidnapping or death. This often starts off as harmless online chatting then progressed rapidly to something more sinister. There are a number of cases of kidnappings that arise from these chat rooms. Minors often prey to these kidnappings. The modus operandi is someone usually an adult enters chat rooms intended specifically for kids or teenagers. Then he poses as someone younger so he could befriend the kid. As soon as he gets his trust, he would suggest an ‘eyeball’ or slang term for face-to-face meeting. The kid, thinking that he/she was talking to a real kid, would agree to meet this person alone. When the meeting takes place, these kidnappings occur. Kidnapped kids often go through horrors such as being raped or worse, get killed.
That is why it is very important for parents to monitor their kids’ computer use. Also, kids should be duly warned of the dangers of talking to strangers online. Proper precautionary measures should be taken so as to ensure the safety of the kid at all times.
Statistics
Internet crime statistics are horrifying. For instance “phishing” alone generates at least one billion dollars for the criminals. FBI survey conducted in 2004 revealed that around 90 percent of 500 companies who participated in the survey experienced online security problems leading to financial loss for some 80 percent of them.
In 2003, credit card fraud generated four billion dollars for the swindlers. Fifty percent of the credit card fraud occurred online.
Complaints filed as of 2006 of internet-related crimes reached a staggering number 207, 492. The most reported crime was internet auction fraud which accounted for 45 percent of the total complaints.
Around 75% of the perpetrators of internet crimes are male coming from most populous states in the United States: District of Columbia, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, Maine and Florida.
Prevention of Internet Crimes
Just like any crime, prevention is the best cure. Here are some ways to prevent being victimized by these culprits:
In auction fraud, it is important to communicate with the seller. As much as possible, do not pay through wire transfers or cash. Check the legitimacy of an escrow service before using them.
In cases of fake cashier’s check, contact the bank from which the check is drawn to know if it’s real. Take a look at the account number. Fake checks often have account numbers that appear shiny.
In credit card fraud and identity theft, make sure that the website where you provide your credit card information is secure and trustworthy. Always check your credit card statements to see if there are unauthorized transactions.
In debt elimination and employment/business opportunities, contact the Better Business Bureau to know if the company you are dealing with is legal. Get the name, address and telephone number of the company.
Phishing could be prevented if you do not entertain emails that require you to disclose personal information. Contact the business that sent the email to confirm before sending your details.
If you are a victim, report the matter to the police. If your life is in danger, seek the protection of the authorities.
The best way is always to be cautious in dealing business through the internet. Change passwords on a regular basis. Run anti-virus and anti-spyware software regulary too.
Conclusion
The problems brought about by internet to the society are growing. The price we pay for misuse of internet is getting steeper too.
Internet crimes schemes stole millions of dollars from victims every year. The perpetrators are getting more and more creative in their approach thus making the crime more complicated and difficult to stop.
The authorities cannot stop the criminals on their own. The individual internet users must do their share to be able to stop internet crime. It is not only money or properties that are at stake here but also the safety of the lives of our loved ones.
Perhaps, the most serious internet crimes are those involving the safety of our loved ones. It is not unusual to read news stories of kids kidnapped or raped or murdered due to internet.
Kids’ use of the internet particularly chat rooms should be given due attention. Parents must educate their kids of the dangers of meeting strangers online and seeing these chat mates in person. Make sure that your kids don’t keep important information from you such as meeting strangers.
The internet is a very powerful communication tool and the advantages are immense, if used in the right way.
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