Anti web fraud site launched

An internet site dedicated to tackling fraudulent internet scams has been launched by the government.

Web users can report illegal sales, gambling, fraudulent emails and companies they believe have stolen or allowed access to credit card details directly to the police via the site.

Between January and November 2008 the number of cases of fraud and card abuse rose 20% according to Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie.

Only 35% of such cases are ever resolved compared to the 52% of frauds that take place outside of cyberspace, she added.

The website www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr is linked to a team of six to seven police officers to centralise investigation into internet fraud.

A special telephone number has also been launched 0811 02 02 17 (price of a local call).

The interior minister added that France had used its presidency of the EU to agree the principal of a pan-European site to tackle internet fraud under the control of Europol.

The scheme could be launched in 2010.

Similar agreements were still under discussion with the US, Russia, African and Balkan states, said the minister.