The internet is now synonymous with commerce. The growth of the digital economy has, in parallel, brought the development of unprecedented levels of computer related crime. The targets can be individuals, businesses and even nation states. Cybercrime is considered a serious threat to national security, costing the UK economy tens of billions of pounds each year.

The scope of cybercrime encompasses a wide range of potential threats and activities, including the malicious spreading of viruses, hacking, theft of data, breach of copyright, the making of obscene or malicious communications and the counterfeiting of software. While the Computer Misuse Act provides a framework for the prosecution of pure computer crime, computers are usually used by criminals to facilitate other offences. This means that cybercrime can be prosecuted as other, linked, offences such as fraud, money laundering, sexual offences or a range of other crimes.

Computer crime and online fraud often has an international element and can involve a number of jurisdictions. Those arrested may face extradition to another country to answer charges.

How we can help

If you are facing allegations of internet crime, our cybercrime investigations lawyers can help you at every stage of the investigation from interviews under caution to fighting extradition to foreign countries.

Our computer and internet crime lawyers also work closely with forensic IT experts and can help organisations in tracing and dealing with all forms of computer misuse. We can examine hardware to uncover evidence and advise on what steps to take throughout an investigation into computer related misconduct.

Our work

• Operation Natals – Represented one of five individuals charged in Operation Natals, the leading case prosecuted in England and Wales involving the use of “dark net” marketplaces
• Acted for the only individual prosecuted following the high-profile hack of the Mumsnet website. Despite the sophistication of the offence, we secured the client a non-custodial sentence
• Successfully acted for an individual investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in respect of allegations that he was the mastermind of the dark web “hitman for hire” website, Besa Mafia. No charges were brought
• Successfully acted for two individuals arrested in respect of allegations that they had hacked the CCTV system of Washington DC prior to the inauguration of President Trump