Internet Crime
Internet crime is a broad term that is used to identify quite a large number of criminal offenses which are committed on, through or using the internet. This may include such crimes as identity theft, phishing, hacking, spamming (sending mass unsolicited email),
internet fraud,
child pornography,
luring a minor, and much more. Though internet crimes are most often associated with
fraud and various types of
white collar crimes, they may also be associated with
sex crimes. The particular nature of an internet crime will dictate the severity of charges that a defendant may face.
In general, internet crime can be divided into two main categories:
- Crimes that are committed using the internet as a means to carry out the act, such as kidnapping a child after luring him or her from home in an internet chat room.
- Crimes that are only able to be committed because the internet was invented, such as hacking or phishing.
Crimes Committed via the Internet
Because so many aspects of today's society are internet-based, including financial and business transactions in particular, internet crime is a growing problem throughout the United States. As such, both state and federal agencies work hard to locate and stop internet crime. In many cases, internet crimes may be charged as federal offenses because they involve crossed state lines or national borders.
If you or someone you know has been accused of any type of internet crime, it is important to get more information about these serious matters. You can start by finding a local attorney who handles criminal cases of this particular kind. A criminal defense lawyer can answer your questions and can offer helpful insight that will aid you in making the right choices about your case, including whether to retain the services of an attorney at this point.
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