With everyone living under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials are warning the public that cyber-crimes are on the rise. This has been attributed to the sudden increase of people who are now reliant on the internet for work and school. The general sense of anxiety and confinement among the population has also presented criminals with a unique opportunity to take advantage of vulnerable people who are living in fear during the lockdown.
According to the United Nations the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), common cybercrime techniques, like phishing, have substantially increased during the pandemic. Phishing occurs when a criminal uses fraudulent methods to obtain personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. This is often done through fake websites or emails that appear to be from authentic parties.
New data from Google that was analyzed by Atlas VPN revealed that 149,000 phishing websites were registered as “active” in the month of January. February saw that number almost double to 239,000. But in March, when most of the country and other parts of the world were initiating phase one of the lockdown, the number increased by 350% when compared to what was reported in January.
Common cyber-crimes authorities around the globe are warning the public about include:
- Promises of fake investment opportunities.
- Fake emails pretending to offer government grants or other forms of financial relief.
- Malicious programs, such as ransomware that target and infect operating systems to allow hackers to demand money from businesses.
- Ransomware targeting vital files and systems used by hospitals.
- File-sharing abuse, inappropriate content, and the grooming of children for sexual purposes by online predators.
Internet Crimes Defense Lawyers
At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, we know firsthand how important it is to have qualified, skilled legal representation on your side if you have been accused of committing a cyber-crime.
Our seasoned attorneys have years of experience defending clients in cases involving:
- Internet Stalking
- Credit Card Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Hacking
- Online Drug Dealing
- Phishing
- Pirating
- Child Pornography Distribution or Possession
We are dedicated to providing top-notch, aggressive representation for each of our clients. Please call (800) 462-7160 today to request your free consultation.
