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Computer and Internet Fraud 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
Site Seeing on
the Internet A guide to help
you avoid fraud and deception while surfing the Internet. From the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission. http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/computers/site-seeing/ 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) was set up earlier this year
specifically to tackle the advance fee fraud, known in Nigeria as the
"419 scam". Independent
Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission The commission
is at the hub of Nigeria's fight against corruption. The main duty of
the commission is to receive complaints, investigate and prosecute
offenders. Other duties include education and enlightenment of the
public about and against bribery, corruption and related offences. 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 http://www.efccnigeria.org/links/index.html 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 Fraud Section http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud.html The 419
Coalition Website http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/index.htm 419 schemes http://www.419eater.com/html/419faq.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/alert419.shtml 419 schemes http://www.419eater.com/html/419faq.htm
Fraud - Nigerian Internet Scams Fraud Prevention, Information and News about Fraud Online http://www.fraudwatchernetwork.com/news/nigerian-internet-scams.html
419 Advice http://www.lagosestores.com/419
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.
Security
is everybody’s business! We hope you
find this resource bank useful. For more IT Security
Resources, click here: http://www.jidaw.com/itsolutions/security3.html
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IT Security resources, security guide, Computer and Internet fraud, computer assisted fraud, advance-fee scheme, 419, spammed E-mail, internet guide
