In this high-tech world, criminals are becoming more sophisticated to try and beat the system. “We see the criminals mostly going after financial institutions or retailers because they are looking to go where the money is,” Robert Novy with the U.S. Secret Service said.
That’s why the Secret Service has just formed a task force to assist Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies in fighting cyber crimes. “We all communicate together. We work together as a collaborative group and then we have the federal arm so we are not in this alone. We can say, ‘They are having the same problem. We are having the same problem. Let’s share ideas,'” Major David Danzig with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.
Members from the local law enforcement community gathered Friday to learn more about the task force. “Cyber crimes extend way beyond this area,” Novy said. “There are things that occur globally or overseas or around the country that may impact this area and they do impact this area.”
The task force is similar to one created locally to fight auto thefts. It will serve as a place to share investigative information. “A task force up north says, ‘Hey, we are having the same problem. These are our suspects. This is how we identified them. Let’s work on this together and let’s go get these guys overseas that are taking money from citizens locally,'” Danzig said.
Since 2014, the Secret Service has arrested more than 2,000 people for cybercrime violations. Officials say that has prevented more than $5 billion in losses.
That’s why the Secret Service has just formed a task force to assist Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies in fighting cyber crimes. “We all communicate together. We work together as a collaborative group and then we have the federal arm so we are not in this alone. We can say, ‘They are having the same problem. We are having the same problem. Let’s share ideas,'” Major David Danzig with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.
Members from the local law enforcement community gathered Friday to learn more about the task force. “Cyber crimes extend way beyond this area,” Novy said. “There are things that occur globally or overseas or around the country that may impact this area and they do impact this area.”
The task force is similar to one created locally to fight auto thefts. It will serve as a place to share investigative information. “A task force up north says, ‘Hey, we are having the same problem. These are our suspects. This is how we identified them. Let’s work on this together and let’s go get these guys overseas that are taking money from citizens locally,'” Danzig said.
Since 2014, the Secret Service has arrested more than 2,000 people for cybercrime violations. Officials say that has prevented more than $5 billion in losses.