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The Internet Crime Complaint Center
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). The Cyber-Crimes Unit has collaborated with IC3 in assisting victims reporting computer crimes by investigating and prosecuting their complaints on a daily basis. Recently, the CCU has launched investigative operations designated “Operation Holiday Spirit” in calendar years 2005 and 2006. The investigations target online perpetrators who defraud unsuspecting computer users who shop online. Crimes include non-delivery of merchandise, fraud, theft, and re-shipping scams. The investigations are a collaborative partnership between the Cyber-Crimes Unit, Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigations targeted over forty individuals who defrauded approximately eighty unsuspecting online victims in excess $256,000, and culminated with the arrests of over thirty-five individuals. The arrests were timed to coincide with the beginning of the holiday shopping season and has served as a reminder to online consumers to take the necessary steps to protect themselves from fraud.
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