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Scams

by Mike Masnick

Tue, Oct 7th 2003 8:41am





Gangsters Sign Up For Internet Access

from the a-world-wide-web-of-extortion-opportunities dept

This certainly isn't new, but it appears that authorities are finally realizing that organized crime has seen the internet and understood its potential for profit. More and more online scams are being run by sophisticated organized crime groups - and not just teenaged hackers in their bedrooms (who, honestly, were never that good at running scams in the first place). They say that, increasingly, organized crime rings are specifically trying to recruit tech savvy programmers, and are apparently doing a good job in Eastern Europe where many of these scams originate. What isn't said in the article, though, is that (so far) the online organized crime rings have been able to run circles around most law enforcement. The article mentions some arrests, but it has done little to slow down the scams - and many involved seem not at all worried about their chances of getting caught.

7 Comments | Leave a Comment..


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  1.  

    Law Enforcement Weakness Not Surprising

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Oct 7th, 2003 @ 9:59am

    The technical weakness of organizations like the FBI is not surprising. Case in point: As a degreed engineer with TS clearance and years of experience in computer security, I approached a couple of FBI recruiters and expressed my interest in becoming an agent. Both told me rather bluntly that the FBI requires agents to hold degrees in either accounting or law. I couldn't even get an application from them with an engineering degree. (It is interesting to note though that agents are appearantly not required to be smart enough to actually pass the CPA or bar exams after graduation.)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    These scammers are incredible!

    identicon
    nobody, Oct 7th, 2003 @ 10:46am

    They are so sophisticated they stole the letter "S" right out of the word scam in your article!

    These guys are brilliant!

    :)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  

    Re: These scammers are incredible!

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Oct 7th, 2003 @ 10:54am

    Oh damn - now we get to hear Mike whine about someone pointing out a typo

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  

    Re: These scammers are incredible!

    icon
    Mike (profile), Oct 7th, 2003 @ 10:57am

    They are sneaky, aren't they. Anyway, after much negotiation, I've gotten the s back.

    Thanks...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  

    Re: These scammers are incredible!

    icon
    Mike (profile), Oct 7th, 2003 @ 11:06am

    I actually appreciate it when people point out typos.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  

    Re: These scammers are incredible!

    identicon
    nobody, Oct 7th, 2003 @ 11:30am

    Your first-born child? Unmarked bills? Bill Gate's cell phone number?

    What did you have to give them to get it back?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  

    Re: Law Enforcement Weakness Not Surprising

    identicon
    dorpus, Oct 7th, 2003 @ 4:26pm

    Actually, they'll consider people with foreign language skills as well. And many of their agents do have CPA's or have passed the bar. The biggest criteria, though, is personality; if you appeared too nerdy to be an intimidating figure, they may have just blown you off.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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