• by Paul Gough , November 20, 2003

A federal investigation of online fraud has netted more than 125 arrests or convictions since it started last month, authorities said today.

"Operation Cyber Sweep" focuses on schemes that have bilked more than 125,000 people worldwide out of more than $100 million, by the theft of credit card numbers, software piracy and using the Internet to sell stolen goods.

What's interesting about this initiative is that it's truly a worldwide effort, and it speaks to law enforcement's willingness to go beyond U.S. borders to find cyber criminals. Not only have 50 state and regional task forces been formed to fight crime online, but the Department of Justice has spent time and money training law enforcement in other countries.

"Cyber criminals abroad have perceived themselves as beyond the reach of U.S. authorities, and, in some instances, untouchable by their own country's law enforcement," the federal Internet Fraud Complaint Center said in a statement today. "Until recently, law enforcement and industry were consistently frustrated with the inability to effectively pursue matters in certain countries."

The Justice Department said that's changing, with help from many countries including Ghana, Nigeria and Romania. More arrests and investigations are planned. You can read more here.

-- Paul J. Gough