6 July 2006

BRUSSELS — The federal computer crime unit registered a 45 percent increase in the amount of internet-based crimes last year compared with 2004.

A large majority of the crimes involved fraud, news agency Belga reported on Tuesday.

Internet and computer crime rates have been rising over the past few years.

And federal police said the 17,490 computer crimes recorded last year represented a 45 percent increase.

Crimes primarily involved fraud committed via email in which victims are tricked into performing dubious financial transactions or revealing their banking details.

In response to the rising crime rate, authorities have intensified their efforts against computer crime.

The federal computer crime unit has expanded its team from 14 officers to 29.

The chief of the federal economic and financial crime unit, Johan Denolf, said work was being carried out on establishing a "real" internet police unit.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Belgian news