There is a seemingly limitless amount of information available on the Internet to anyone who can log on and type a few words into a search engine. Untold amounts of money are constantly being moved in and out of countless accounts via the Internet every day. Moreover, the Internet is one of the most powerful means of communication ever created.
The term ‘virtual reality’ is an apt description of the manner in which people use the Internet. Just as in real life, people can get into trouble for engaging in criminal activity. Intellectual property theft, financial fraud, and identity fraud are all crimes that people can be accused of committing over the Internet.
The month of October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and the Department of Homeland Security is spearheading efforts to raise public awareness of Internet crimes. However, the DHS is not the only federal entity putting efforts behind fighting cybercrime. The Federal Bureau of Investigations is also heavily invested in tracking and capturing those whom they believe are committing Internet crimes
In fact, the FBI has cyber task forces stationed in all of its field offices. These task forces work at the community level to track cyber threats. The FBI also operates the Internet Crime Complaint Center, where the public can submit cyber crime complaints online.
Clearly, the federal government is putting its resources toward battling criminal activity on the Internet. This means that anyone who comes under suspicion by the FBI or the DHS could find themselves facing federal charges for alleged illicit Internet activity.
If you are ever charged with an Internet crime, it is very important to start building a strong defense as soon as you can. A Louisiana white collar crime attorney can assess your case and represent your interests in fighting the charges.