The Legal Implications of Internet Fraud

What is internet fraud? It is the use of services or materials in the World Wide Web to deceive another individual. The offender may make use of websites, forums, Web logs, e-mail and chat rooms as mediums. It is entirely a scheme made for the sole purpose of acquiring information, monetary gain or deceiving the entities involved.

How Internet Fraud is Commonly Carried Out

The criminal offense is mainly done in the internet where several people transact business, buy or trade. The offender uses a fictitious identity, non-existent goods, stolen credit card data or an apparent ownership over an item, service or company. Since the credibility of the offender seems to be intact, victims are then lured to transacting business or disclosing confidential information. The result would be lost or non-existent transactions wherein the victim has definitely lost valuable time, effort and money from the scheme.

Purchase scams are a very common form of internet fraud. Victims most likely received e-mails containing advertisements or messages implying an order-to-ship product. The seller conveys that the product comes from a much known company with good reputation.

The seller will then leave fictitious information like address, telephone numbers, e-mail address, etc. for the buyer to apparently contact. The deal will be closed upon order, wherein the victim pays via credit card. Before the supposed shipping is done, the credit will have been received by the false seller thus failing a complete exchange.

How We Become Victims of Internet Fraud

There are always risks involved when paying via credit card in the internet. Credit card information can be acquired as people transact business. Retailers, company databases and company employees are common sources of this type of information. The offender uses the false identity from the authentic credit card when purchasing or exchanging in the internet.

Counterfeit Postal Money Orders (CPMOs) is another form of internet fraud wherein the offender uses very good quality counterfeits to purchase or trade. The victims are usually internet vendors and sellers who receive the CPMO then deliver the goods to the false buyer. The vendor will not have noticed the counterfeit until he tries to trade it in with real money.

The law states that the criminal offense still falls under fraud. Using non-existent or false identity, assuming sale or purchase of fictitious products or services and false sale or purchase of a product is illegal in most areas of the world. Any mischievous activity resulting to the loss of one party during a supposed trade will be charged with the offense. Even via the internet, an offender can be charged with theft, violation of privacy and counterfeit. It is not illegal to use a fictitious identity like in chat rooms and e-mail addresses as long none of the offenses is involved.

Penalties for Internet Fraud

Punishment for internet fraud can be in fines and imprisonment with probation on internet and computer activities. Fines can range from $1,000 to $1,000,000. The offender can have jail time of six months to twenty years. There are special probations and prohibitions given to internet offenders such as prohibition from the use of computer, internet and other technological devices.

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