Cybercrime

Cybercrime refers to a number of different crimes carried out online. It is commonly split into two different types: cyber-dependent crime, and cyber-enabled crime.

Cyber-dependent crimes are offences that can only be committed using a computer, such as computer hacking or spreading computer viruses.

Cyber-enabled crimes are existing crimes that are carried out through using the internet, for example financial scam emails, online stalking, harassment and bullying, or the distribution of child pornography.

Being a victim of cyber-dependent or cyber-enabled crime can leave a real and deep impact, particularly for victims of an emotionally draining or complex crime, such as romance fraud or online harassment.

Support available

Because cyber-enabled crime covers such a large range of crimes, support may be available from specialist providers, for example when dealing with stalking and harassment related to domestic abuse.

Anyone not sure what support is best can contact the Victim and Witness Hub for free, independent and confidential advice.

There are also a number of useful resources that provide information and advice to keep victims safe, or even prevent people becoming victims at all.

Get Safe Online is supported by the government and industry leaders to provide practical advice on how to protect individuals, computers, mobiles devices and businesses against many problems encountered online.

Alternatively, Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. It only offers a way to report cybercrime and advice on types of fraud and updates on the latest internet-enabled scams.