While the Internet has brought us closer together, and closer to online poker, it has also created a new breed of thieves and swindlers. Much like many of you reading this article, I’m used to finding a variety of e-mail scams in my inbox on a daily basis. I’m usually pretty good about keeping my guard up, but a little creativity by by Jon Waldman Protect yourself a scammer caught me. In late 2006, I got an e-mail, supposedly from eBay, with an inquiry about an auction. Since I’m a semiregular eBay bidder and seller, I clicked on the link and did my usual log-in. By the time I looked at the e-mail on the website, I realized I had logged on to a spoof site. Thankfully, a quick e-mail to eBay confirmed my fears and I was able to lock down my eBay and PayPal accounts before there was any negative impact on my credit card or other accounts. I, however, am one of the lucky ones. Over the last few years, millions of dollars have been lost to Internet fraud schemes, with victim numbers reaching into the thousands. As part of this cyber-crime, full bank accounts have been emptied out and credit card numbers have been lifted, all through a virtual world.

KNOW THY ENEMY
Internet fraud, as Corporal Phil Carver of the RCMP’s Commercial Crime Unit explains, is simply the acquisition of an individual’s finances, or putting that person’s money at risk, through deceptive means via online outlets such as websites or e-mail.While some of these schemes are farfetched, such as an Ugandan princess who’s been in hiding for 70 years and can only reveal herself to you and share her $100,000,000 (US dollars, naturally) with you through a Brazilian bank account, others are a little more sneaky. “A true fraud, in order to be successful, has to be believable. In today’s day and age, people are not going to fall for buying the Brooklyn Bridge,” Carver notes, adding that the most common scams are over-payments and fake lotteries, which he sees on a daily basis.

TAKING THE STAND
Though Internet fraud crimes are highly visible, punishment for these offences has not been as widespread. Mike McIntyre, host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Crime and Punishment” and court reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, says he has seen a marked increase in the number of cases being brought before the courts, but that these reflect just a small percentage of the number of the overall incidents. Part of the obstacle in dealing with these cases is that they will very often cross borders. McIntyre recalls a case in the province where a Winnipegger stood accused of fraud, involving victims across the United States. That does not mean that victims should sit idly by and let these incidents happen, however. If you have been the victim of an Internet fraud scheme, Carver recommends that you first alert your financial institutions, then register your complaint at the RCMP’s RECOL (Reporting Economic Crime On-Line) website(recol.ca), then to PhoneBusters (1-888-495-8501 or phonebusters.com). These two outlets, as Carver explains, act as virtual stations which network all information out to the various RCMP offices across Canada. Play it safe While victims of Internet fraud may become gun-shy after going through this experience, the reality is that the Internet is now a major financial tool. While some will indeed be fearful of the rapidly expanding technology and the risks involved, the reality is that it is very safe to do financial transactions online, so long as you know what you are doing.

Sergeant Len Terlinski, along with being in the Winnipeg Police Force’s Commercial Crime Unit, is also an online shopper. He comments that the most important thing is to be familiar with venues where you are purchasing.

“Unless you know who exactly you’re dealing with on the Internet, don’t give any information,” he says. “I make Internet purchases on occasion, but it’s from places I know.”

Part of this knowledge is being aware of the policies and safeguards of financial organizations you belong to or whose services you use. Cpl. Carver points out that no Canadian institutions, such as banks, will contact you via e-mail unless you contact them first. As well, sites such as eBay and PayPal have set up e mail addresses that will screen suspicious correspondences for their legitimacy.

Ultimately, the informed Internet user will be able to surf safely and use the potential of the Internet to its utmost capabilities. As more people protect and educate themselves on online fraud, numbers will only decrease.