1. What is Cybercrime?

What is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime is an umbrella term used to describe two closely linked, but distinct ranges of criminal activity.

Cyber-dependent crimes or ‘pure’ cyber-crimes are offences that can only be committed using a computer, computer networks or other forms of information communications technology (ICT).
These include:

• the illicit intrusion and hacking into networks
• the disruption of computer functionality with the spread of viruses or other malware
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

Cyber-enabled crimes on the other hand, are traditional crimes, which can be increased in their scale or reach by use of computers, computer networks or other forms of ICT.
Main forms of cyber-enabled crimes would be:

• child sexual exploitation
• fraud/scams
• blackmail
• extortion

Anyone can be a victim of cybercrime. If you are the victim of a cyber facilitated crime you can report it directly to us online, by 101 or via Action Fraud.

It should be noted that Action Fraud do not investigate crimes and they are not police officers. They are a national crime reporting centre that is part of City of London Police, whose role is to provide a central reporting hub for victims of cyber facilitated crimes.

There are two ways to report to Action Fraud, via their online portal at www.actionfraud.police.uk or over the phone by calling: 0300 123 2040.

Click here to report a crime to us via the constabulary website.

Once you have made your report, an officer or advisor will be in touch to obtain more information if required and, if there are lines of enquiry, an investigation will be established. You will be advised of the outcome either way whether by way of letter or phone call.