A new crime unit tasked with patrolling the cyber world was announced Tuesday by the California Attorney General's Office.
The creation of the eCrime Unit, staffed with Department of Justice attorneys and investigators, is charged with identifying and prosecuting identity theft crimes, cyber crimes and other crimes involving the use of technology.
"Today's criminals increasingly use the Internet, smartphones, and other digital devices to victimize people online and offline," said Attorney General Kamala Harris. "I am creating the eCrime Unit so that California can be a leader in using innovative law enforcement techniques to target these criminals. The eCrime Unit will be comprised of investigators and prosecutors charged with working across jurisdictions and leading task forces to protect California consumers and businesses."
The eCrime Unit investigates and prosecutes crimes that include a substantial technology component. Examples and descriptions of the kinds of crimes that the unit will prosecute are:
• Identity theft - The Internet provides new ways for criminals to steal personal information and identities whether through email phishing scams or trolling the Internet for personal information about others.
• Fraud committed using the Internet - This includes scams perpetrated via email and on Internet auction websites.
• Theft of computer components or services - Burglary and robbery of computers or other electronic devices by highly-organized gangs at manufacturing sites, storage facilities and retail stores.
• Intellectual property crimes, such as counterfeiting or piracy - Large numbers of websites and online networks exist solely for the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, such as movies, music and software.
• Child exploitation - Disrupting online child pornography networks and those who commit sex crimes against children using the Internet or social media.
Many of these crimes are multi-jurisdictional and are better suited for prosecution on a statewide level.
The eCrime Unit, which began operations in August, consists of 20 attorneys and investigators, many of whom have spent years working on complex technology crimes.
Technology crimes affect consumers, businesses and the state government's operations. California had 10 of the top 25 metropolitan areas for identity-theft related consumer complaints in 2010. According to the Federal Trade Commission, California has the most identity theft complaints of any state and third highest per capita. In fact, every year, more than one million Californians are victims of identity theft. Total losses throughout the state exceeded $46 million last year.
"Every year, California loses millions of dollars because the intellectual capital of our state is being hijacked by criminal elements," said Assemblywoman Nora Campos, D-San Jose. "The addition of the eCrime Unit to California's fight against technology crimes sends a clear message that we are determined to root out this type of illegal activity."
The eCrime Unit will also provide investigative and prosecutorial support to the five California regional high-tech task forces funded through the High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution Trust Fund Program and provide coordination for out-of-state technology-crime investigation requests.
The eCrime Unit also will develop and provide training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, the judiciary, and the public on cyber safety and the importance of strong information-security practices.
"As the importance of the Internet to our economy has grown, criminals have moved online to steal valuable information and goods from individuals and businesses," said Santa Clara District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen. "In the 21st Century, law enforcement will be increasingly combating online criminal activity. The Attorney General's eCrime Unit will provide much needed resources and expertise to thwart and prosecute online criminals who cause billions of dollars in damage every year."
The Attorney General also announced the launch of a new web site devoted to cyber safety, which can be found at http://oag.ca.gov/cybersafety. The website contains information about online child safety, identity theft prevention tips and help for victims.
