Do you need to write a cyber crime report? Cybercrimes have been prevalent in this age of computers and online transactions. This white-collar crime act involves stealing or selling corporate data and is largely linked to drug trafficking and financial scams. If you fall victim to a cyber crime, it is highly recommended to draft a cyber crime report. The purpose of this report is to:
- Document the details of a cybercrime such as when it occurred, how it occurred, and the impact it had. Was there financial loss? Maybe a data breach?
- Help the right law enforcement agency, authority or government entity understand the scope of the problem. The law enforcement agencies or authorities involved will use this report to allocate resources and procedures to investigate the matter.
- Aid in recovering stolen funds or mitigating the cybercrime damage.
Cyber Crime Report: Cybercrime Trends
1. Financial Cybercrime
Financial cybercrime is the act of using digital means to steal money from individuals, businesses, and even companies. An example of this is phishing emails to get someone to give up their bank login details.
2. Data Breaches and Identity Theft
Cyber criminals online target a person’s personal info like names, addresses, social security numbers or credit numbers. Once they get ahold of this information, they may use the person’s details for online fraud or sell on the black market. One technique they may also use is to call you and ask you if you can hear them on the call.
Naturally, we would say “Yes”. If this is the case, they may record the person saying yes and use the recording to confirm transactions from online banks or transactions. Hackers can also breach a company’s database and retrieve customer information and use those for the same reasons.
3. Malware Attacks
Malicious software also exists for the purpose of infecting databases and computers with viruses that:
- Extract information
- Steal data
- Disrupt operations; and
- Hold files for ransom
It’s paramount that victims of malware file a cyber crime report since it is a large-scale crime.
4. Social Engineering
Social engineering is manipulating someone to reveal sensitive information that benefits the attacker. You may have seen scammers that impersonate tech support in videos online. In these videos, the scammer tricks the victim into giving them remote access to their device. Unfortunately, some people fall prey to such scams and end up losing their financial accounts in their phones.
5. Cyberstalking and Harassment
Even the online world is not spared from stalking and harassment instances. With many active users in the digital world, everyone is susceptible to these cybercrime trends. Cyberstalking and harassment involve the use of social media accounts to repeatedly threaten or intimidate someone with offensive and illegal content. This is one of the most common forms of cybercrime offences since almost very person in the world uses social media.
6. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
These attacks overwhelm a website or server with traffic, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. Here’s an example. Hackers launch a coordinated attack flooding a bank’s website with traffic, and preventing customers from accessing their accounts.
7. Child Pornography or Sexual Advances to Minors
Unfortunately, children are not spared from such crimes, so young people should be wary online. Child pornography is the distribution of online images or videos that involve children and sexual activities. Moreover, predators and pedophiles also lurk around the internet and make sexual advances to minors, sometimes coercing them to meet with them.
Note: If you know a person who is guilty of such heinous acts, please contact your local police and file a cyber crime report with them. If you need immediate assistance, the Australian Cyber Security Centre has a 24/7 Hotline: 1300 CYBER1 ( 1300 292 371 ).
Cyber Crime Report: Telltale Signs of an Online Scam
1. Online scams have texts or content that have urgency and scarcity. For example, an online scam may have a message that says “LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!” or “You’re our 100th customer!!”. A good rule of thumb to detect such scams is that they are too good to be true.
2. They may also use unprofessional communication, fake websites, or suspicious links
3. Online scams usually have typos, grammatical errors, or odd phrasing.
4. Online scammers can go as far as using emotional manipulation like fear of losing money or making you feel excited about winning prizes. They may also use threats or cyber threats of legal action or negative consequences if you don’t comply with their demands.
If one or more of these signs are evident in an SMS, email, or call that you received, you should file a cyber crime report.
How Should I File a Cyber Crime Report?
A lot of people online may have experienced such wicked acts online like an online scam. Moreover, some may have been scammed to the point that the scammer has squeezed everything in their bank accounts. So what can a scam victim do? Here are some steps they can follow following the incident:
1. Firstly, they should cut off all contact with the scammer.
2. Secondly, they may file a cyber crime report to the following:
| Type of scam | How to report |
| Identity Theft or Cybercrime | Contact ID Support NSW by calling 1800 001 040 or by filling out an online form |
| A scam that originates from NSW and you know information about the business or trader. | File an online complaint with NSW Fair Trading or call them at 13 32 20. |
| Unsure of where the scammer is | Report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). |
| Overseas or interstate scams | Report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). |
3. Thirdly, you should inform your bank or financial institution of the scam. This way, they can locate any compromised cards and accounts.
4. Finally, you can gather evidence like details of the scammer to list down on your cyber crime report. This may include their phone number, website, or possibly their IP address.
File a Cyber Crime Report With Us
Online scammers should be put in their place and exposed for their heinous acts. People work hard to protect their finances or even protect their private life. However, even such people can still be victims of online scams.
We at JB Solicitors can ensure that your cyber crime report is well-crafted for the relevant authorities. Our criminal lawyers can also help with investigation matters and legal representation in court.
Contact us today if you need help with your cyber crime report.
