* subscribe at http://techPolice.com KERIK: TAKE A BYTE OUT OF CYBERCRIME By MURRAY WEISS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 26, 2001 -- Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik is revamping and expanding the computer crime squad that combs the Web in search of cyberthieves, pedophiles, pornographers and Wall Street scammers, The Post has learned. "This should have been a priority long ago because nothing is moving faster than technology," said Kerik. "We have to stay up with the times and on top of it." The new unit will also attack online auction fraud and the sale of illicit drugs such as "ecstasy" over the Internet, sources said. Kerik's decision to beef up computer probes and upgrade NYPD equipment was sparked by a exclusive story in The Post three months ago. The article detailed how city cybercops snared a Brooklyn busboy who utilized computers, cell phones and faxes to breach Wall Street security and clone the identities of more than 200 of America's richest and most famous - including Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet and Larry Ellison. Sources said when the story broke and Kerik was briefed for a press conference, he was visibly upset when he learned there was no central unit within the department monitoring all Internet investigations. He also was concerned about how ill-equipped the NYPD was in fighting burgeoning computer crimes. "He blew his top," a source said. "There wasn't even anyone who knew the busboy case [which attracted worldwide attention] because the two detectives on it were away on vacation." Kerik had staffers brief him on what the NYPD was doing. "There were five different areas [within the NYPD] looking into cybercrime, whether it was pornography, fraud, financial or pedophilia, but each collected information and then kept that information for their own investigative purposes," Kerik told The Post. "But if they are not talking to each other it does not benefit the whole agency." He ordered the various units involved in computer probes in the Organized Crime Control Bureau, Public Morals Squads and the Intelligence Division to merge within the NYPD's Special Investigations Division. He said he is initially committing an additional $250,000 for new equipment and assigning a total of 18 detectives to the revamped Computer Crime Investigations Unit. source http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/33408.htm ============================================================ How much can you save on your favorite stuff? With TopOffers, the sweet deals & super savings never stop. http://click.topica.com/caaab6jb1dhr0b2EDp2f/TopOffers ============================================================ --via http://techPolice.com archive: http://theMezz.com/cybercrime/archive subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --via http://theMezz.com ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1dhr0.b2EDp2 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
