Computer and Internet Fraud


Definition of Computer and Internet Fraud

Computer and Internet fraud refers to any use of the computer or the Internet to create a dishonest misrepresentation of fact intended make another do or refrain from doing something that causes harm to the victim. The federal government first took preventative measures against computer and Internet fraud by passing the Comprehensive Crime Control Act on October 12, 1984.

Computer and Internet fraud may also be known as computer crime, cyber crime, or netcrime.



Computer and Internet Fraud Explained

Computer and Internet fraud contains many different crimes including: bank fraud, identity theft, extortion, embezzlement, theft of classified information, credit card fraud, unauthorized destruction of data, and other online crimes. Violators of computer and Internet fraud may be prosecuted under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Fraud and related activity in connection with computers is defined under 18 U.S.C. § 1030. This provision of the United States Code deals with computer espionage, computer trespassing, computer trespassing of a government computer, committing fraud with a protected computer, damaging a protected computer (including viruses, worms, etc.), trafficking in passwords of a government or commerce computer, threatening to damage a protected computer, conspiracy to commit any of the previous crimes, and penalties for these crimes.





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