Support site for victims of cybercrime set to close

An independent organisation set up three years ago to help the victims of online crime will close next month due to lack of funds.

Over the years E-Victims has grown substantially and attracted support from individuals such as Lord Errol, privacy expert Dr Richard Clayton and Peter Robbins of the Internet Watch Foundation, but the organisers felt they could not sustain and develop the website as was needed.

Jennifer Perry, E-Victims’ founder said: “Having worked with thousands of victims, I can say that the advice and expertise E-Victims.Org offered is needed more than ever.

"But although the demand for advice and support has increased substantially over the last few years, we have not been able to secure the ongoing funding needed to continue to run the charity.”

With cybercrime growing, she singled out the government and internet industry in particular for criticism in the way victims of cybercrime are treated.

“E-Crime is the fastest growing area of crime. Everyone now knows someone who has had problems online. Online victims can suffer from multiple crimes, if they aren’t given the right advice. For example, a victim of a job scam is also at high risk of identity theft or having their other online accounts compromised.

"The need for e-crime victim support is great, but the funding from the government and the Internet industry is negligible," she said.

Howard Lamb from the Federation of Copyright Theft (Fact), former police officer with the then National Hi-Tech Crime Unit and member of the E-Victims advisory council said: “E-Victims will be sadly missed. They have made a huge effort to assist individuals who have been a victim in the ‘e’ world. I have directed people to E-Victims and they have all received sound advice that is not available elsewhere.”