Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
1120 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of cases of Internet fraud reported to the Garda in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the steps he is taking to combat same; if reform of the laws will be required to update the laws surrounding such cases of fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32945/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda Authorities that there is no differentiation between internet fraud and other types of fraud when such incidents are recorded. Therefore to establish the number of reported cases of internet fraud would involve a manual search of Garda records and would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources.
An Garda Síochána are proactive in preventing this type of crime by actively raising awareness of public fraud prevention measures through a number of forums. The Gardaí in conjunction with the Irish Banking Federation, the Irish Payment Services Organisation, the retail banks and the UCD Centre for Cybercrime Investigation work on the reduction of this type of crime as part of the remit of the Irish Banking Federation Hi-Tech Crime Forum. This group has published public awareness leaflets and have undertaken many media campaigns in an effort to reduce Internet Fraud. The Gardaí and Price Waterhouse Coopers have also published the Fraud Alert book to spread awareness with the public and businesses community in relation to Internet Fraud. On the more general question of cybercrime, I can inform the House that I am proceeding with proposals for the preparation of a Criminal Justice (Cybercrime) Bill.
