Cyber crime up 33 percent in 2008

Posted on Saturday, April 04 2009 @ 10:39 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 275,284 complains last year, for a total of $265 million in losses. Online crime rose by 33 percent from 2007, with the most common complaint being non-delivery of goods followed by Internet auction and credit card fraud. The center predicts the figures will significantly rise this year, the author of the report unveils complaints in March alone rose by nearly 50 percent.
Complaints in March alone rose by nearly 50%, said the report's author, John Kane.

"2009 is shaping up to be a very busy year in terms of cyber-crime," he said.

The IC3, a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, said last year's losses compared with $239m (£167m) in 2007 and dwarfed the $18m (£12m) losses it reported in 2001.

The average amount lost by individual victims in 2008 was $931 (£652), it said.

Of those who complained to the IC3 in 2008, 66% reported internet crime originating in the US, followed by the UK in second place at 11%, Nigeria 7.5%, Canada 3% and China 1.6%.
More details at BBC News.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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