However, the crime most conducive to the commerce-driven Internet, which provide consumers with ever increasing access to depth of information and advertising, is the old fashion scam or fraud. But the scams do not end there. In most cases, the actual scams are not new, but the level and international scope of the audience present problems in enforcement. Because of the international nature of the Internet, it is nearly impossible for each individual country or agency to regulate and enforce its laws over the Internet in a consistent, effective way. In addition, an agreement by the various countries providing for some type of international control over the Internet is unlikely to be made anytime soon, if ever.
Consumer awareness is certainly a critical factor.
If the victim does not cooperate, the scam fails. But, unfortunately, there will still be victims. Perhaps a new wave of tough legislation enacted and enforced where the scam artists live and work can solve some of these problems. In the U.S., the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, codified in 18 U.S.C. section 1030, provided a measured response to a growing problem. However, the current laws have not stemmed the tide of fraudulent schemes proliferating over the Internet.