SA: Keelty says internet a place for criminals to act in secret

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2008
SA: Keelty says internet a place for criminals to act in secret

ADELAIDE, Aug 6 AAP - From Olympic ticketing scams to sophisticated operations stealing
credit card details, the internet has become a place where criminals can operate undetected,
Australian Federal Police chief Mick Keelty says.

Less than 10 years ago Australians would not have imagined the impact, mostly positive,
the internet would have on their daily lives, Mr Keelty told a business lunch in Adelaide.

"But, as with many things in life, there are people who seek to take advantage of these
systems and are now committing crimes on the internet that are affecting each and every
one of us in different ways," he said.

"The internet provides an opportunity for criminals to commit crimes undetected, with
a level of anonymity that previously they would not have had available to them."

The AFP boss said the recent Olympic ticketing scam, where hundreds of sports fans
were duped into buying tickets through a bogus website, to the case in the US where 11
people were charged in connection with the theft of 40 million credit and debit card numbers,
were prime examples of how technology had been exploited.

Incidents of online fraud in Australia had jumped 60 per cent in the past 12 months,
he said, while 3.6 million Americans lost money last year after having their identities
stolen.

"Australia is by no means immune," Mr Keelty said.

"We really have to think about what we have online and how we're protecting it.

"Cyber criminals are becoming quite skilled in planning and executing their attacks."

The AFP chief said he did not want to frighten people away from using the internet,
but urged everyone to have a measure of understanding of its impact on the wider community.

"There is no doubt that technology has the ability to increase economic growth," he said.

"But there's nobody who doesn't understand or appreciate that technology has the potential
to stunt development or create crime risks."

AAP tjd/wf/mn

KEYWORD: INTERNET

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