Cyber ​​fraud: meaning, definition and preventive measures


Technological advancements have always been a blessing and a nightmare for humanity. There are always some people who misuse and exploit technology and create serious problems for the rest of the population. One of those inventions is the computer that has become an integral part of every person’s life in recent years.

There is a growing dependence on computers not only on the part of the common man but also by almost all commercial and professional agencies. It is widely used by the security and intelligence forces, as well as by research centers. The widespread use of this device has also led to misuse and abuse of the wider facility. The invention of computers and their continuous improvement has opened new avenues for scammers and fraudulent individuals. The abuse of the computer and related electronic media has led to the appearance of a range of crimes that have very peculiar characteristics.

Definition of cyber crimes and scams:

Cyber ​​scams can effectively be defined as “illegal acts in which the equipment that transforms the information, be it a computer or a mobile device, is a tool, a target, or both.” It can also be called “A crime in which the perpetrator develops a plan using one or more elements of the Internet to deprive a person of a property or of any interest, patrimony or right through a false representation of a fact, either by providing information misleading or by concealing information “.

Cyber ​​crime refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. More precisely, it refers to the criminal exploitation of the Internet. Another definition of cyber crime refers to it like this; “Online theft of credit card number, expiration date and other information for criminal use is cyber fraud.” It can also be defined as any type of intentional deception involving the Internet. This can include fraud and scams that occur in bogus chat rooms, message boards and websites, and also through emails. It usually comes in the form of misleading requests and fraudulent transactions.

Importance of cyber crime:

Cyber ​​scams are emerging as a real threat to users and have become high profile by their nature. They can cover all aspects of a person’s life and include illegal acts such as piracy, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, and also child pornography. These crimes have a lasting effect on victims, especially if it involves identification or personal financial information. Sometimes it is really difficult to prove the identity of a specific perpetrator, which can have a negative impact on the user.

Types of computer crimes or scams:

There are a lot of illegal activities that fall within the realm of cybercrime, but more broadly, they can be divided into two classifications: crimes that directly target computer networks or devices, and secondly, network-facilitated scams. computerized to any user who is independent. the author of the scam.

Precautionary measures:

Most scams are done through emails. This method is very effective as the user is drawn to providing critical information such as user names, passwords, credit card information, or other vital information. There are still other methods of cyber fraud found on the internet. To escape from these types of scams, you need to follow some basic things and pay attention to preventive measures such as:

• Never send money to people who have contacted you by email or on the Internet.

• Never reveal your identity and vital financial information to strangers

• Never reply to links from organizations you are not a member of.

• Never reply to or click on the link stating that you are the winner of some type of lottery or competition that you have never participated in.