In the UK, a cyber crime is committed every 10 seconds

An online study has claimed that a cyber crime takes place in Britain every ten seconds.

London, Sept.6 : An online study has claimed that a cyber crime takes place in Britain every ten seconds.

According to online identity experts Garlik and leading criminologists, over three million online crimes occurred in 2006.

Sixty per cent of these crimes were 'offences against the person', including abusive or threatening e-mails, false or offensive accusations posted on websites and blackmail over the Internet, The Sun reports.

The 'UK Cyber Crime' report reveals that some cyber crimes are just as common as traditional crimes.

Over 200,000 cases of online financial fraud were committed last year where criminals impersonated their victims to obtain money, credit or even to gain better-paid employment.

Online identity theft reached more than 90,000 cases, unauthorised access to someone's PC with ulterior intent reached 144,500 and online sexual offences 850,000.

And driving this wave of cyber crime according to the Garlik report is the relative anonymity or 'safe' distance the Internet offers, with criminals wrongly believing that ethical codes relating to personal property and privacy in the physical world do not apply online.

The report estimates that 90 per cent of cyber crimes go unreported as victims are deterred from coming forward as they believe it is not criminal or that the police will be unable, or unwilling, to investigate.

The lack of a clear, legal definition for cyber crime and absence of consistent reporting systems are cited as key factors hindering the investigation of e-crime in the UK.

Garlik CEO Tom Ilube said: "Our study is the first step in measuring the impact of cyber crime in Britain.

"It demonstrates how real and widespread a problem it is," he added.

ANI