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And Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Recent Cyber Crime Cases
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Introduction
Detective Darin WebsterAustin Police DepartmentHigh Tech Crimes Unit
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We Investigate...
Breach of Computer Security Cellular Phone Cloning Unlawful Interception Online Financial Crimes Any Major Crime Whose Victim is a
High Tech Company
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Case #1: Breach of Computer Security
Details: Boyfriend/Girlfriend break up Victim checks online email and finds mail in trash
folder victim did not delete Victim finds mail in sent items folder that was sent
to the suspect (not by victim)
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Case #1: Breach of Computer Security
Lessons Learned: Many online email accounts allow password reset
based on “secret question” Most of our “significant others” are going to know
the answer to this question
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Case #1: Breach of Computer Security
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: Lie!!! The secret question is only a password
established to verify your identity Don't use something easily discovered or known
by someone else After a break up, change passwords just as you
would change the locks on your doors
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Case #2: Unlawful Interception
Details Husband and Wife are going through divorce Husband sends Wife an enticing attachment Wife clicks attachment Husband suddenly knows details of Wife's
computer usage
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Case #2: Unlawful Interception
Lessons Learned Texas is a “one party state” in regards to
“Wiretapping” Only one party needed to consent to the
Interception
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Case #2: Unlawful Interception
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: Be wary of attachments from anyone, even people
you know Update your software
Operating System Anti virus Anti spyware
If you use monitoring software to watch your children, edit Windows registry to notify the user
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Case #2: Unlawful Interception
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: Trust your instincts! Get it checked out
Computer repair business Private Investigator
Once you have evidence, go to the Police
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Case #3: Auction Fraud
Details Suspects start legitimate online auction business Suspects sell items they don't own, hoping to
purchase them at a lower price than they net on the auction
Financial difficulty follows Suspects ignore customer complaints Customers turn to Police
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Case #3: Auction Fraud
Lessons Learned Don't ignore debts to customers when you have
difficulty completing transaction Ignoring debts to customers can turn a civil case
into a criminal one
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Case #3: Auction Fraud
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: When shopping online remember:
You don't know who this person is You don't know if he/she is where they say they are,
the Internet is GLOBAL Don't spend more than you can afford to lose Read the website's terms of service
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Case #4: Identity Theft
Details: Suspect works at Cellular phone company with
access to sensitive data Suspect obtains apartment and utilities in victim's
name Suspect orders merchandise in victim's name
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Case #4: Identity Theft
Lessons Learned: Be vigilant! You can do everything right, and still be a victim
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Case #4: Identity Theft
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: Guard your personal information very aggressively Opt Out Shred everything
One tiny piece could be the key to the kingdom Check credit reports often Children are the best victims, check theirs too!
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Case #5: Overpayment Scam
Details: Victim advertises on Internet Victim contacted by interested party who is
overseas Victim receives cashier's check or money order
(usually more than the amount agreed upon) to deposit into their account
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Case #5: Overpayment Scam
Details: Suspect needs money sent back to them or a third
party Victim writes checks or wires the money to suspect
from own account Cashier's check or money order later discovered
counterfeit Victim owes bank the money for the counterfeit
check
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Case #5: Overpayment Scam
Lessons Learned: In doing business with someone overseas:
You have little or no recourse if deal goes bad Police have little or no jurisdiction overseas
Wiring money is commonly used by scammers. Any paper can be counterfeit:
Cash Cashier's checks Money orders
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Case #5: Overpayment Scam
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: Avoid business transactions with persons or
businesses overseas Never wire funds to someone you don't know Recognize a scam when you see one
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Case #5: Overpayment Scam
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim: Google for Internet scams and know the telltale
signs of one Don't try to “set up” the scammer for the Police The scammers are usually overseas and the best
we can do is prevent the crime in the first place
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Conclusion Change passwords often Be wary of online transactions Guard personal information Update your software Check your credit report often Lie on the secret question Check stuff out! Google It!!! If it sounds to good to be true, it is!