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Preventing and Combating Internet Fraud
Introduction
As a powerful medium, the internet promotes the mutual communication among people and expanding of international commerce. But many people just use it as a tool to commit illegal acts. Indeed, the internet has enhanced criminals’ abilities to commit traditional crimes more efficiently and anonymously and it has also created new opportunities for crime, such as internet crime.  Internet fraud is such a kind of internet crime. On the one hand, it seriously destroys the normal management of internet information system, and makes people suspect the truth of internet information. On the other hand, it also seriously damages the other social and economic interests. Hence, it is necessary to take the practicable steps to prevent and combat internet fraud so as to protect the benefit of net-users and make the internet become a safe place for transaction and exchange.

1. Overview of Internet Fraud
(1) Definition of internet fraud
Internet fraud means ‘any type of fraud scheme that uses email, web sites, chat rooms or message boards to present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, to conduct fraudulent transactions or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme’.  According to this definition, we can know that the criminals exploit the internet as a tool to obtain the illegal benefit from the victims.
(2) Some forms of internet fraud
a. Spam
Spam means electronic “junk mail”. Perhaps, everyone can receive a great amonut of such e-mail. They try to persuade the net-users to buy something in the internet, and such things always are cheap and attractive. But if you are induced to buy them, perhaps you will find you trapping in the fraud.
b. Spyware
If you don’t pay attention enough and download some softwares, perhaps they are spywares. They can steal your personal information and business information. Thus, your benefit will be damaged.
c. Identity theft
A large part of online crime is now centred on identity theft which is part of identity fraud and specifically refers to the theft and use of personal identifying information of an actual person, as opposed to the use of a fictitious identity. This can include the theft and use of identifying personal information of persons either living or dead.
It is also possible that your identity is stolen when you visit the internet or regist in some website. Then, your personal information will possibly be abused.