Challenges of organised cybercrime and identity theft

Cybercrime and identity theft are some of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.  New York City is a global hub of international business and commerce and is therefore a particularly target rich environment for cyber criminals and identity thieves. For example, approximately 37% of all felony complaints drafted by the New York County District Attorney’s Office in 2012 include charges related to identity theft or cybercrime.  Due to the proliferation of on-line banking, smart phones, and other wireless methods of communication, the victims and perpetrators of cybercrime can be located anywhere in the world.  Consequently, criminal activity linked to one victim routinely spans numerous jurisdictions while criminals, working both domestically and abroad, take advantage of the anonymity that computers offer. Tracking cyber-criminals often requires advanced investigative techniques carried out by specially trained law enforcement personnel. Furthermore, due to the difficulty investigating cybercrime and identity theft cases, the financial rewards of this criminal activity and the potential for lower prison sentences, law enforcement professionals have noted in recent years that career drug offenders and violent criminals have been migrating to these crimes. Indeed, cybercrime and identity theft is becoming the new face of organized crime.  This presentation will provide an overview of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office efforts to combat cybercrime and identity theft focusing on select case examples and current trends.