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Computer fraud
is any form of fraud scheme that is computer assisted. Most popular
today are the Internet fraud schemes such as those perpetrated through
e-mail, chat rooms, message boards, or Web sites. The critical elements
involved are fraudulent solicitations, fraudulent transactions and of
the course – the victim! With the
Internet, fraud and computers can now come from anywhere on the planet.
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the speed and easy accessibility of
the Internet. Now distance is no longer a barrier and it is cheaper to
use fraudulent, deceptive “spamming” e-mails and web pages to dupe
unsuspecting victims. The Internet also makes it easier for con artists
to cover their tracks. Examples of
such schemes are: Auction and Retail Online, Business
Opportunity/"Work-at-Home", Online Identity Theft, Fraud
Market Manipulation, Investment, Online charity, credit-card,
lottery/prize-promotion, advance-fee and spammed E-mails (unsolicited
E-mails).
Computer crime is a global issue. Businesses, security agencies, the police and the public should collaborate more closely together in the fight against computer criminals. You
can be defrauded online.
Don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you due to ignorance or your
lack of experience with computers or the Internet. Don't let them fool
you.
1) Be able to
recognize a scam. If you plan to use the Internet at all for your
business, personal or social needs, save yourself a lot of time and
energy by knowing the different types of scams out there so you can
bypass them altogether.
2)
Never reply anyone running such a scheme.
3) Use your
Internet e-mail service to block junk or 'spam' e-mails. Check your
online service for ways to reduce unsolicited commercial e-mail.
4) Never
download an e-mail attachment from an unknown sender. It could be a
virus.
5) Don’t
respond to any mail that asks for money upfront.
6) If an offer
is too good to be true, don't believe it.
7) Understand
that nobody is on the Internet with the sole purpose of making you rich.
8) Investigate
Internet-related business opportunities just as you would investigate
any business opportunity.
9) Report the
scheme to service providers and fraud busting organizations and sites
for further investigations.
10) Educate yourself using the anti scam sites listed below.
Anti
Scam Sites & Organizations
Internet
ScamBusters Information to
help you avoid getting ripped off by Internet scams, fraud,
misinformation and hype. Economic &
Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria The Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is the official organization set up
specifically to tackle the economic and financial crimes including the advance fee fraud, known in Nigeria as the
"419 scam". The Nigeria
Police This site is
established to make the operations of the Nigeria Police accessible to
the public, to inform them of the changes and developments in policing
and law enforcement strategies; and to provide an opportunity for the
community to contribute their quota in the task of tackling crime and
ensuring a safe and prosperous Nigeria. 419 scam links UK Office of
Fair Trading contains advice
on consumer rights, competition policy, consumer protection, and lists
of OFT publications and press releases. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
investigates scams US Department of Justice Criminal Division Internet Fraud
The 419
Coalition Website http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/index.htm
United States
Secret Service: Advance Fee Fraud Advisory The victim is
told that the completed contracts will be submitted for approval to
the Central Bank of Nigeria. Upon approval ...
http://www.secretservice.gov/criminal.shtml The Nigerian Cybercrime Working Group (NCWG) is an inter-governmental body consisting of: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), State Security Services (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Attorney General of the Federation ,Ministry of Science and Technology, Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), Internet service Providers Association of Nigeria and a private citizen representing public interest.
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