Microsoft is initiating over 100 legal actions across
Europe, the Middle-East and Africa (EMEA) against online
fraudsters.
Microsoft today announced its plan at a Brussels technology
conference hosted by European ISPs.
Neil Holloway, Microsoft European president, unveiled a law
enforcement campaign that will target cyber-criminals behind
phishing attacks.
Microsoft said that by the end of June 2006 it will have
initiated 100 legal actions in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa
against individuals suspected of committing online fraud.
The company said over 50 of these actions would have already
started by the end of this month.
“Phishing is a crime and undermines consumers’ trust in the
internet and is an impediment to European policy-makers’ and
industries’ efforts to boost citizens’ use of innovative and
valuable internet services,” said Holloway.
The European legal actions are linked to Microsoft’s wider
Global Phishing Enforcement Initiative (GPEI), launched to
co-ordinate and expand the company’s anti-phishing efforts
worldwide.
Bernhard Otupal, crime intelligence officer at Interpol’s
financial and high-tech crime unit, said, “Partnership between
Interpol and Microsoft has been of immense benefit to police in
Interpol’s member countries, especially in relation to the training
of officers in the latest technological advances.”
As part of its efforts, Microsoft is bringing legal actions
against alleged phishers in Turkey, France, Spain, Morocco, the UK,
Germany, Austria, Egypt and Sweden.
The cases are against people who have allegedly created websites
to lure people into sharing their personal data, such as credit
card numbers or bank account log-in information.