The government is setting up a new "cyber enforcement team" to tackle fraudsters who target consumers'
online banking accounts.
Online banking log-on details are regularly stolen by criminals who send emails inviting individuals to register for a free item - such as an iPod - only for the recipient to download "spyware" onto their computer without realising.
This then gives fraudsters access to people's
online banking log-on details.
Other scams being targeted by the new team include websites which claim to sell hard-to-find concert or football tickets that the operators do not have and those which play on people's good nature with bogus appeals for donations to help victims of disasters.
Until now, nobody has been convicted by the UK authorities who tackle such crimes, though many fraudulent websites have been closed.
Set up as part of a £4.3 million
investment by the government to deal with internet and email cons over three years, the cyber enforcement team is aimed at giving the public greater confidence to shop online.
"The internet is rapidly transforming the way we shop," notes consumer minister Kevin Brennan. "It presents massive opportunities for consumers, but unfortunately it also harbours fraudsters who can leave consumers upset and out of pocket."
