Internet fraud in Canada: Reports predict an ominous rise in online crimes in Canada!
Photo by: alexdecarvalho
There is a storm brewing on the Canadian internet fraud front. Several signs reveal increased instances of scams in Canada or carried out of the country. The 2007 Internet Crime Complaint Centre report unveiled surprises for many. It noted an increase in the number of internet-based scams from Canada. The country was cited as one of few places where online crimes affecting US residents originated the most. The report grouped Canada alongside countries like Nigeria and Romania that are known hotbeds of such crime.
A news report in Edmonton Journal quotes officials from the Edmonton Police department claiming more than half the population of the country have lost money to online fraud in Canada. The country’s online crime fighting agency, Phonebusters, reported victims losing $4.6 Million to just one type of fraud in the month of January alone.
Reasons for anticipating a rise of fraud in Canada
Crime fighting agencies cite weak legislation and antiquated rules as the primary reasons for rise of this type of criminal activity in the country. They say the internet arena is governed by rules made for the 70’s era. The laws are yet to reflect advances made in technology, they point out. This makes it difficult for them to pursue criminals and to enforce order in the online world.
They also cite the lax view of the judiciary while doling out punishments to online crimes. These punishments do nothing to deter criminal activity of this kind.
Another news report warns that organized crime in Canada which was cold to the internet till now may be warming up to it presently. The Internet, the report warns, may have lured gangs with prospects of low risk, low profile crimes. That they would face easy sentences if they are caught only makes the prospect more alluring.
The same report also warns that migrants from the not-so-prosperous eastern part of the country maybe taking up online crime and contributing to the overall situation.
It is not as if Canada has done nothing to stem the onslaught made by online fraudsters. The country has time-and-again tackled the problem head-on and has also taken broad initiatives to quell challenges. However the present situation would demand sterner resolve and more determined action against fraud from law makers and law-enforcers of the country.
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- Council of Europe Cyber Crime Convention: Guidelines for Formal Cooperation between Law Enforcers and ISP’s on the anvil
- Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention: Forces acting for change at the conference, esp. from the Estonian front
- Not all Nigerians scam; yet an image continues to stick…
- FTC Report lists initiatives to fight online crime