Schemes range from sophisticated fund transfers involving millions of pounds to simple theft of commercially sensitive data. Ian Grayson reports on the battle against hi-tech fraudsters being waged by the Serious Fraud Office and corporate investigators Computer fraudsters have a glamorous image. Armed only with a PC and their wits, they can hack into banks and transfer vast amounts of cash into shady offshore accounts.
Corporate secrets are easy prey.
A few clicks of the mouse and latest product developments are theirs for the taking. What a great way to make a living. It's easy to subscribe to this image - to dismiss computer fraud as a great subject for Hollywood movies but one with little relevance to daily life. Unfortunately, it's not true. Estimates of the cost of computer fraud to UK businesses vary greatly, but usually tend to be large.