Brasília, 2/12/2004 (Agência Brasil – ABr) - Internet frauds rose 275% in 2003, compared to 2002, reports the web watchdog agency in Brazil (comitê gestor da rede mundial no Brasil). The agency says that the spike in hacker attacks is a reflection of the lack of specific legislation dealing with internet crime. The problem has been aggravated by the rapid expansion of the web, as well, says the agency.

There is an average of 4,800 cases of internet fraud per month. The most common type being the cloning of bank homepages leading consumers to transfer personal information to false sites.

According to internet security specialist, Claudio Almeida Prado, there is a prevailing sense of impunity which compounds the problem. There is a need for tracking mechanisms, says Prado, and rigid punishment. "If the internet is to continue to expand, there has to be crime control," he concluded. (AB)