Graphic of a blue block spacer
Graphic link to FBI Homepage
 
Graphic link to FBI Priorities
Graphic link to About Us
Graphic link to Press Room
Graphic link to Investigative Programs
Graphic link to Counterterrorism
Link to Intelligence Program
Graphic link to Most Wanted
Graphic link to Field Divisions
Graphic link to Reports and Publications
Graphic link to FBI History
Graphic link to For the Family
Graphic link to Freedom Of Iinformation Act Library / Requests
Graphic link to Employment
Graphic link to How Do I...?
Graphic link to Search

Graphic link to Homepage

 

Graphic link to Submit a Tip
Graphic link to Apply Today
Graphic link to Links
Graphic link to Contact Us
Graphic link to Site Map
Graphic link to Privacy Policy
Investigative Programs
Cyber Investigations
 

Operation "Web Snare"

Operation Web Snare logoOperation Web Snare represents a coordinated initiative targeting an expansive array of Cyber Crime schemes victimizing individuals and industry worldwide. This initiative highlights numerous investigations that have been successfully advanced through cooperation and coordination of law enforcement, and a growing list of industry partners.

Cases included in Operation Web Snare exemplify the growing volume and character of Cyber crimes confronting law enforcement, and also underscores the continuing commitment of law enforcement to aggressively pursue Cyber criminals, both domestically and abroad. Focused efforts to pursue Cyber criminals internationally, has led to the development of enhanced proactive capabilities in several countries, and numerous investigative successes highlighted within this initiative. The development of international resources is closely coordinated with the DOJ, the U.S. State Department and a growing list of E-Commerce industry partners.

Criminal schemes included in this initiative include: criminal spam, phishing, spoofed or hijacked accounts, international re-shipping schemes, Cyber-extortion, auction fraud, credit card fraud, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Computer Intrusions (hacking), economic espionage (Theft of Trade Secrets), International Money Laundering, Identity Theft, and a growing list of “traditional crimes” that continue to migrate on-line.

The substantial accomplishments captured in this initiative are attributable to the growing number of joint Cyber-crime task forces established across the U.S. Over the past year, more than 50 such task forces have either been established or significantly augmented with resources from numerous federal, state, and local agencies. Substantial industry partnerships developed in coordination with associations such as the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the Merchants Risk Council (MRC), the Business Software Alliance (BSA), and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) also contributed significantly to the success of this initiative. Operation Web Snare has been coordinated at the Federal level with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Numerous state and local law enforcement agencies contributed significantly to this initiative as well. State and Local participation in this effort was amplified in coordination with The National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).

Operation Web Snare includes more than 150 investigations, in which more than 870,000 victims lost more than $210 million dollars. Through these investigations more than 300 subjects were targeted, resulting in 100 arrests/convictions, 116 indictments, and the execution of more than 130 search/seizure warrants. Although significant in number, these investigations represent only a fraction of the Cyber crime problem, underscoring not only the need for sustained law enforcement focus, but the continuing development of expanded industry partnerships as well.

Operation "WebSnare"
Anti-Piracy Seal Information
Cyber Education Letter
File a Complaint through the Internet Fraud Complaint Center
Internet Crime Complaint Center
Online Child Pornography Program
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
New E-Scams & Warnings
Cyber Investigations Home