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Australia's online police report 39,000 cybercrime incidents in 2015

Xinhua, January 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cybercrime in Australia continues to increase at an alarming rate, the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) said on Monday.

The ACORN highlighted the danger of online activity and the increase in cybercrime in Australia with more than 39,000 incidents reported in 2015.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the latest results were of great concern, warning that the problem would only get worse as Australia's reliance on technology grew.

The leading types of cybercrime being reported to the ACORN were online fraud and scams, with 19,232 reports received, accounting for 49 percent of the total reports received in 2015.

Online trading issues which affect Australians who bought and sold goods online were the second highest type of cybercrime reported as the ACORN received 8,368 reports which accounted for 22 percent of total reports in 2015.

"As Australia's reliance on technology grows, and online shopping remains an increasingly attractive option for busy Australians, the cost and incidence of cybercrime is expected to increase," Keenan said.

"I encourage all members of the public to be vigilant online and to work together to ensure a safer and more secure digital environment for all Australians by reporting to the ACORN."

Victoria received the highest number of cybercrime reports, closely followed by Queensland and New South Wales.

ACORN is a national policing initiative that allows cybercrime victims to easily and instantly report cases of criminal activity online, as well as providing information on how to avoid falling victim to cyber criminals.

The ever increasing reliance on technology not only makes online activities easier for Australians, but it also makes them an easier target for cybercriminals. The damning rate of cybercrime in Australia has raised concerns on the need to boost law enforcement efforts to stamp out the behaviour that affects numerous Australians each year.

Many instances of cybercrime go unreported because victims either do not know where to report, do not think it is worth reporting, or are reluctant to do so.

The majority of reported victims of cybercrime were between 20 and 40 years of age (40 percent), followed by the 40-60 age group (38 percent).

Over the past year, email, social networking, and website advertising have been the top three reported online channels used by cybercriminals to target their victims. Endit