The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – received nearly 1,000 reports of cybercrime and internet crimes each day in 2018. The dramatic amount of reports prompted the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to urge the public to cooperate with federal investigators.
According to a spokesperson with the Secret Service, Alan Ottarson, the smallest bits of information can be useful in helping track down someone suspected of committing cybercrimes, like hacking and phishing. For example, an email address can indicate a phishing scheme’s origin, even if the email address is a “dummy” account. Since federal agencies struggle to get into the finer details of a case due to the sheer volume of cases to investigate, Alan noted that everyone can help with investigations to some degree, including the people who first report the incidents.
Federal agencies must also prioritize what cases to investigate, typically starting with whatever cases have the most potential for the most damage. An individual who reports that they were scammed out of $5,000 will be placed lower on the priority tier than a business claiming an anonymous party hacked their servers and stole intellectual property, for example. The problem becomes that low priority reports may never see any sort of investigation or inquiry.
Using the IC3 online submission form asks the visitor to fill out basic information about themselves and details of how they were victimized by an alleged cybercrime. The complaint is filed, and the filer is given no promise of when their complaint will be investigated, or if it will be at all. Oftentimes, the only response comes weeks later and gives tips about how not to be victimized by cybercrime in the future, like downloading antivirus software or storing data on offline hard drives.
(You can learn more about this ongoing story by clicking here for a full article from Wallstreet Journal Pro Cybersecurity.)
Cybercrime Investigations & Prosecutions
With the sharp rise in cybercrime reports, it can be expected that investigative agencies like the FBI will be on alert for new accusations and allegations. As it was admitted by Mr. Ottarson of the Secret Service, high profile cases are all the more likely to get attention. If your company or corporation is accused of a cybercrime or internet crime, then you can expect more investigative power will be used against you. To this end, you may be met with greater prosecutorial force than the average defendant if you are formally charged with a cybercrime. Will you know what to do to defend your freedom, your company, and your reputation?
Friedman Nemecek Long & Grant, L.L.C., L.L.C. Attorneys at Law in Ohio can help protect your rights and stand up for your good name. Our cybercrime attorneys are capable of handling your case from start to finish, including cyber litigation against a government entity. Attorney Nemecek is the Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Cybercrime Committee, marking him as one of the most experienced and learned cybercrime lawyers in the country.
Call (888) 694-4645 and request a no-cost initial consultationwith our legal team today.