High-tech methods to scamp millions

ABC News

November, 24, 2006

SECURITY experts have warned Londoners to take extra care because criminal gangs are using high-tech methods to scamp millions.

According to the latest Virtual Criminology Report by security software company McAfee, organized crime barons are recruiting computer whiz kids as young as 14 to help fleece people in a variety of ways.

Its report found that "false e-mails" - bogus messages sent to try and gain confidential information like passwords and banking details, and same bearing the logos of well-known high street banks-increased by 25 per cent in the last year alone. Gangs reportedly monitor internet chat rooms frequented by bedroom computer experts, who trade information such as how to bypass security systems and new hacking techniques.

And according to McAfee security analyst Greg Day, not only are Londoners most at threat from fraudsters but also criminals trying to steal their identities.

He warned: "People in the capital tend to use internet banking and online shopping websites and these crooks deliberately target them".

"Some criminals in countries like India, which has a high number of IT students, are even sponsoring teenagers through university to then benefit from their skills".

Earlier this week, police in Thailand arrested a Sri Lankan gang with 5.350 credit card encoded with genuine data of UK card holders. If used, the trio could have netted 5.8 million - a figure easily surpassed had the details been used for online purchases.

But for every advance that is made in security, criminals push the boundaries further.

Greg Day says: "Internet criminals want to know as much about your online activities as possible. If they get your personal information, they can pretend to be you online and shop, apply for loans and open bank accounts".

In October, 200,000 - a year tube boss Michael Brown fell victim to such fraudsters. They used his personal details to transfer almost 100,000 from his Halifax account. One of the London based gang, Antoine Pollgonater, used his 50,000 spoils to build a motel in Cameroon, Africa. He was jailed for a year.

Home Office figures on the complex crime of ID theft, which stretches beyond just banking details, put its cost at a staggering 1.7 billion over the last three years. Even using your credit card to make a purchase over the phone at work leaves ordinary people vulnerable.

Online payment provider Pay Pal warns that one-in-five people reads out their confidential financial details in public. Fraudsters repeating such details to obtain goods at online services - called, "card not present fraud" - netted over 183 million last year according to the UK payments association.

Unsuspecting The Bill star Cyril had his credit card cloned whilst holidaying in Brazil this summer. Fraudsters waited months to use his card.

He said: "I hadn't noticed initially because I didn't check my balance that often. I certainly will do now".

TEXT 7

Exercise 1. Read and translate the article with the help of a dictionary: