Forum on high tech crime kicks off in Canberra

In response to this rapidly evolving crime type, the forum is designed to promote open discussion aimed at preventing and resolving crime in the virtual world.

The director of the Australian High Tech Crime Centre, James McCormack, said the AFP was working closely with industry, local and international law enforcement partners to counter illegal activity online.

"This colloquium is an important step in the ongoing process of ensuring a cooperative and comprehensive approach is taken towards identifying and combating crime trends," McCormack said.

"One recently identified area of concern is the way in which some criminals are beginning to specialise in particular aspects of online crime, such as money laundering, phishing and credit card fraud."

The role of intelligence gathering during the investigation of high tech crime has been a primary focus of the forum as well as discussions around the way in which organised crime syndicates are using the internet to conduct their business, and the threats and opportunities presented by online social networking sites.

The two-day conference will involve workshops for participants, as well as presentations from international organisations including Europol and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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