CYBERCRIME
Cybercrime is a constantly evolving and unique threat. One in four Americans is a victim of cybercrime each year and more than a quarter of felony indictments filed in Manhattan involve a cyber component. Cybercriminals steal billions of dollars in funds and data annually, often leaving victims with nowhere to turn. The stolen data is used to impersonate and steal identities, crimes that victimize thousands of New Yorkers every year, especially the most vulnerable. Despite suffering financial loss, damage to their business, and personal hardship, victims still find there is no one who will investigate what happened to them.
As District Attorney Lucy will become a leader in improving local and nationwide responses by investing in the resources and innovation needed to aggressively combat cybercrime and identity theft, ensuring that cybercrime victims get the help they need.
To combat cybercrime, Lucy will:
Create a new cybercrime and identity theft reporting portal to give victims an easy way to report crimes. Current cybercrime statistics vastly undercount the number of actual cybercrimes, and many reports never receive the proper follow- up investigation. Lucy will create a seamless reporting interface for Manhattan victims of cybercrime and identity theft, ensure reports are reviewed, and perform initial investigations where appropriate. This portal and process can be expanded and used by other jurisdictions, to achieve an effective statewide and national reporting mechanism for victims.
Enhance victim assistance by establishing resources to help victims who report cybercrimes and mitigate the harms they suffer, correct their credit, secure their systems, and reduce the chances they will be victimized again.
Prioritize proactive analysis and investigation for the Office. Information obtained from reports made through the new portal and through existing and proactive investigation will be rigorously analyzed to identify patterns, trends, and organized criminal activity. Investigations and prosecutions will be conducted by building and using a full array of tools and resources. Often, the conduct engaged in by a single cybercrime and identity theft offender or group is widespread, and a single detected crime might be part of sweeping criminal activity. Therefore, the DA’s Office will investigate each case thoroughly, and also focus on holistic ways to dismantle the crushing threat of cybercrime.
Improve digital evidence management by expanding the Office’s expertise in the preservation, analysis, and presentation of all digital forms. Digital evidence is an essential element of every investigation and prosecution, especially cybercrime.
Integrate financial evidence found throughout cyber and identity theft crimes. Cybercriminals use all forms of payment mechanism from cash to virtual currency (including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin) and many are sophisticated at laundering their profits. The Office must follow the financial trail, whatever its form and wherever it leads.
Collaborate with local, state, federal, and private sector partners because cyber and identity theft crimes often cross geographical and jurisdictional boundaries. Collaboration and information sharing are essential to stop these crimes and find those who commit them. Lucy will develop and expand partnerships with law enforcement at every level of government, as well as within the private sector, academia, and community groups. This will maximize the Office’s collective efforts against cybercrime and play a crucial role in combating this evolving threat.
Advocate for improved cybercrime legislation including important changes to our laws that properly address the range of cybercrime and identity theft conduct, strengthen cybercrime investigations, and protect our communities.
Improve internal training on cybersecurity, cybercrime, identity theft, and digital evidence.
Commit to community outreach to educate community members on the risks of cybercrime, how to mitigate them, and what to do if they fall victim to cybercriminals.