What is Cybercrime?
Cybercrime encompasses absolutely any type of criminal activity that is conducted through the internet and computers. Today, this area of law is considered to be among the most progressive and extremely complex. Its active development is directly linked to the advancement and implementation of modern technologies. The complexity also lies in the fact that cyber-crime offences do not have clear boundaries, which can lead to cases with a cross-border element.
Experienced cyber-crime solicitors offer their assistance and advice on online fraud cases that may arise in various countries around the world. Often, criminals conceal their activities by employing an ever-changing array of technologies, including malware, viruses, botnets, and the dark web.
Due to the active development of Internet banking, there are widespread flourishing financial crimes, which can be committed against an individual, a firm, or a company, as well as against the government.
As of today, there are two main areas of cybercrime known:
- Cyber-dependent crimes. This is a type of organized criminal activity that directly relies on computers, the use of all the capabilities of computer networks, and other ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies). This category of computer-related crime includes the distribution of viruses, hacking attempts, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, the use of ransomware, as well as fraudulent schemes involving cryptocurrency.
- Independent cyber-crimes are standard crimes whose scale and consequences can be amplified through the additional use of computers, network capabilities, and other ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies). A key distinction between independent and cyber-dependent crimes is that the former can be committed without using ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies).
Regardless of the specific cyber-crime being discussed, every suspect and victim requires legal representation to entrust the investigation of the entire case to true experts in the field.
Types of cybercrime
Cybercrime lawyers deal with a wide variety of such crimes, each with its own specific set of characteristics.
- Internet fraud involving computer technology. This type of online fraud can be associated with the need to obtain user data (for example, login and password) for illegal gain (conducting payment transactions).
- Intercepting emails. These cyber crimes utilize all forms of phishing and spoofing, as well as DNS hacking.
- Identity theft of personal data – Identity theft occurs when criminals illegally obtain a person’s financial information and use it in purchasing goods or ordering services using their name and bank card number.
- Infringement of trademark rights and copyright. The unlawful use of trademarks, and various texts without the consent of the author, or owner.
- Hacking. Often, internet users encounter hacking of their personal pages on various social media platforms, as well as hacking of accounts in games, messaging apps, and online banking applications. In the latter situation, what happens is payment card fraud, when the cardholder might lose some of the money or the entire amount on the card. Besides credit card fraud, hacking can also lead to identity theft.
- Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks. Most commonly, criminals generate a vast number of packets/requests that overload the entire system, causing it to fail.
- Cyberstalking and harassment. Avoiding cyberbullying, abuse, and discrimination online is possible by employing effective strategies to create a safe digital environment. As a result, perpetrators may demand a specific sum of money to return access to an account, or they could threaten to disseminate personal photos and videos for public viewing on the internet.
This is far from an exhaustive list of all the possible ways in which cyber crimes can occur today. Should urgent assistance be required for criminal defence, it’s necessary to seek assistance from cybercrime solicitors who understand the law surrounding cyber-crime, regardless of the complexity of the cases.
Cybercrime Law enforcement
By utilizing the current cybercrime legislation, it will be possible to establish standards and common rules of conduct for all users of the Internet and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). This legislation includes the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which highlights criminal offences related to improper usage of computers.
Referring to federal and state legislation, it will be possible:
- Establish the necessary package of socio-legal sanctions for committed cybercrimes.
- Protect all ICT (Information and Communication Technology) users, prevent harm that could be caused to users, systems, services, and infrastructure.
- to protect the rights and interests of individuals.
- Establish cooperation between different countries involved in investigating cases related to various online crimes.
The investigation of cybercrime cases is handled by the main division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) – the Cybercrime Unit.
The main tasks of the Management include:
- to warn against cyber-enabled fraud
- to identify computer-based crimes in a timely manner;
- to suppress such cases by all means;
- To investigate crimes and other legal violations related to the field of IT technology.
Additionally, the Cybersecurity Department is responsible for coordinating this activity within the overall system of the Ministry. The legal regulation of responsibility for cybercrimes is carried out per the laws and regulations set out in the Criminal Code of the specific country.
Additionally, the Cybersecurity Department is responsible for coordinating this activity within the overall system of the Ministry. The legal regulation of responsibility for cybercrimes is carried out per the laws and regulations set out in the Criminal Code of the specific country.
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
The CFAA, or Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, is considered a civil criminal law concerning the investigation of cybercrime. According to this law, all forms of computer-based crimes or hacking of computer systems are prohibited. As a result, all computer systems will be viewed as potential victims.
Although the CFAA (Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) is directly related to Internet crime, it is considered in a broader context than merely prohibiting the hacking of computer systems. According to the CFAA, seven categories of behavior are prohibited:
- Accessing information that pertains to national security by employing methods of unauthorized access to computer systems with the aim of further dissemination and data preservation.
- Gaining all sorts of information through unauthorised access to a computer.
- Unauthorised acts to access a government computer system.
- Active participation in computer fraud through obtaining unauthorized access to a computer.
- Sale of passwords, and other methods of gaining unauthorised access to computer material or systems.
- Deliberate infliction of harm to various computer material and systems through the transmission of commands, hacking codes, programs, and other information.
- Extortion, potential threats related to intimidation to harm specific computer systems.
Qualified internet fraud lawyers can help you understand all the nuances related to computer-based crime in more detail. You should seek expert legal advice if you have become a victim of a cybercriminal or have been accused of committing an online crime.
Penalties for Cybercrime and Internet Fraud
Fraud in the area of computer information is a criminal offense. To find out what specific penalties the suspect faces, our cybercrime solicitors London are ready to provide expert assistance to every client.
As forms of punishment, different countries use:
- financial penalties (the exact amount of the fine depends on the specific type of cybercrime);
- arrest (the exact duration of the arrest depends on the specific type of cybercrime);
- Imprisonment;
- community service.
If we’re talking about a specific group of individuals who acted collectively, or about the process of causing significant harm to the victim, imprisonment with confiscation of property is often used as a punishment. For instance, UK government often issues two to five years imprisonment to individuals convicted of cyber crimes. Such offences may also feature a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment in some countries.
How We Can Help with Cybercrimes Accusations?
You won’t need to navigate the complexities of various types of cybercrime on your own. Our cyber crime lawyers have the technical expertise and experience to guarantee robust protection at every stage of the legal process.
We offer our assistance in the following way:
- We represent the client’s interests in court and before law enforcement agencies.
- We look for the best defence strategy for your case to avoid the maximum sentence and reputation issues.
- We’re negotiating with federal and state agencies before all charges are brought and the suspect is arrested.
- We’re meticulously reviewing the entire list of current evidence to intelligently plan the further development of events.
Our Interpol lawyers work with cyber crime experts, covering all its various forms. That includes cyber stalking, phishing, malware attacks, identity theft, hacking, cyberbullying and harassment, and financial fraud.
Contact Internet Fraud Solicitors
It’s essential to understand and remember that all potential accusations of cybercrime are based on sophisticated evidence. However, the penalties can be quite severe. Our cybercrime solicitors in London are ready to apply all their knowledge and experience to fight effectively for the best possible outcome, helping to find alternatives even to the worst possible consequences.
We are ready to defend your rights to a fair legal process under various case circumstances. After all, our sole correct outcome is achieving a just decision for every client. Write to us right now to receive advice from specialists regarding further actions on alleged crimes committed online.
