IC3 Celebrates 10 Years of Fighting Cybercrime

Internet Crime Complaint Center Receives More Than 1.5 Million Complaints

May 7, 2010 - FAIRMONT, WV—Fighting cybercrime has become an increasingly more challenging task as criminals have gotten more and more creative over the years. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received more than 1.5 million complaints of cybercrime, ranging from online fraud and computer intrusion to economic espionage, money laundering, and child pornography.

“This year marks the first decade of our partnership with NW3C addressing nearly 1.5 million Internet crime complaints to IC3,” said Bill Hinerman, FBI Unit Chief for IC3. “This partnership has increased law enforcement's ability to collect, analyze, and refer Internet crime complaints to our domestic and international law enforcement partners.”

IC3 was established in May 2000 as a partnership between the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The organization gives victims of cybercrime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. IC3 provides law enforcement and regulatory agencies at all levels a central referral system for complaints involving Internet-related crimes.

“Since its creation in 2000, we have seen the number of complaints coming into IC3 increase year after year. Cybercrime is not going away and, in fact, is only going to continue as criminals become savvier,” said Don Brackman, Director of the NW3C. “We are so proud to be partners with the FBI in operating IC3 to address this growing global issue.”

To address the evolving area of cybercrime, IC3 implemented the Internet Complaint Search and Investigation System (ICSIS). ICSIS is a web-based software program available to approved agencies that enables users to search the IC3 complaint database, analyze data, and share case information with investigators across jurisdictions or nationally. IC3 also offers analytical support, training, and research to assist law enforcement with any needs they have in creating a case against cyber criminals.

“No one would have thought 10 years ago that we would have as many reports of cybercrime as we have today,” Brackman said. “As the Internet keeps evolving and as criminals keep thinking up new ways to take advantage of the public, IC3 will continue to look for ways we can help combat these types of crimes.”

For more information on the Internet Crime Complaint Center or to file a complaint, visit www.ic3.gov.