Cybercrime is an increasing problem that takes many forms. Even the slightest suggestion or risk of it affecting you or your business demands immediate, careful attention and an appropriate response to minimise the potential damage.
This is a rapidly-developing area. Nobody can afford to be oblivious to the dangers posed by cybercrime or approach them half-heartedly.
Anyone who believes that they may be facing a cybercrime risk or believes they need to take steps to ensure it does not become a problem must seek the assistance of a legal firm steeped in business crime expertise. A firm capable of providing the necessary specialist skills and knowledge that can ensure you do not suffer the effects of cybercrime or can respond appropriately if you are the subject of such allegations.
Cybercrime is essentially any offence carried out using computers and, in many cases, the internet. Such cases require legal and technical expertise, intelligence and speed of thought. Rahman Ravelli’s qualities in these areas are beyond doubt; our rankings in international legal guides are testament to that.
At Rahman Ravelli, our cybercrime expertise covers:
Due to the means by which such offences are carried out, cybercrime is not defined by borders. There are also issues surrounding employee and company liability if allegations of cybercrime are made.
Anyone involved in any way with a cybercrime investigation needs legal representation from lawyers who are experts in all aspects of such cases. Lawyers who know how to deal with national and international law enforcement agencies and have experience of extradition and disclosure matters anywhere in the world. At Rahman Ravelli, we offer all this.
For clients who have suffered as a result of cybercrime, we create bespoke teams of experts and devise the most appropriate strategy and course of action in order to seek justice for you. Our expertise in planning and conducting internal investigations can determine the cause of the problem. Our asset tracing specialists will help locate, freeze and then recover assets lost as a result of online crime.
If the matter relates to cryptocurrency, our experts are on hand to offer the relevant advice. Please see the cryptocurrency area of our website for more details.
For clients accused of cybercrime, we use all our acknowledged skill in this rapidly-changing business and legal area to obtain the best outcome. Cybercrime often involves cutting-edge technology. It is not uncommon for those in business to become unknowingly involved. And when they do they require expert help.
As business crime specialists, whose knowledge in this field expands with each and every development, we have a worldwide network of experts we can call on, making us the ideal choice to advise on any issue relating to online crime anywhere.
Whether it be addressing anti-money laundering, fraud or other criminal risks in relation to finance, representing those suspected of being involved in cybercrime issues, advising on precautionary measures or assessing the viability of a business or investment proposition, Rahman Ravelli has all the attributes required to help you plot the safest possible course through the online world. Read our cybercrime related articles and news.
Cybercrime covers a wide range of criminal offences that involve computers, networks, or digital data. The Computer Misuse Act 1990 creates the core cyber-specific offences: unauthorised access to computer material (hacking), unauthorised access with intent to commit further offences, and unauthorised acts that impair the operation of computers (including deploying malware or ransomware). Cybercrime also encompasses fraud committed using digital means, theft of data, cyber-enabled extortion, online scams, and offences under the Fraud Act 2006, POCA, and other legislation.
The National Crime Agency's National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) leads on serious and organised cybercrime at the national level. Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) also have cyber capabilities. The Metropolitan Police has a dedicated Cyber Crime Unit. HMRC, the FCA, and other regulators investigate cyber-enabled financial crime within their respective remits. Internationally, the FBI, Europol's EC3 (European Cybercrime Centre), and bilateral law enforcement cooperation are increasingly important in tackling cross-border cybercrime.
Businesses can face criminal liability for cybercrime in certain circumstances — for example, where a company deploys hacking tools or authorises unlawful access to competitor systems. More commonly, businesses face regulatory liability and civil exposure following a data breach or cyberattack — for example, under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 for failing to have appropriate security measures in place. The ICO can impose fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of global annual turnover for the most serious data protection failures.
Immediate steps include containing the breach, preserving evidence, and notifying the relevant authorities where required. Under UK GDPR, most personal data breaches must be reported to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours of the organisation becoming aware of them, and affected individuals must be notified where the breach is likely to result in a high risk to their rights and freedoms. Specialist legal advice should be sought as early as possible to manage the legal and regulatory response in parallel with the technical response.
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a victim's data and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Paying a ransom is not in itself illegal in most circumstances, but it may engage money laundering concerns if the payment goes to a sanctioned entity or individual. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and the NCSC have issued guidance warning that payments to sanctioned groups could breach financial sanctions law. Legal advice is essential before any payment is made.
Cyber-dependent crime is offending that can only be carried out using computers or digital networks — such as hacking or deploying malware. Cyber-enabled crime uses technology as a tool to commit offences that could also be committed without computers — such as fraud, money laundering, extortion, or theft of data. Many of the most financially damaging crimes facing businesses fall into the cyber-enabled category and are prosecuted under general criminal statutes rather than the Computer Misuse Act.
Yes. Cybercrime is increasingly subject to cross-border extradition. The UK has extradition arrangements with many countries and extradition for Computer Misuse Act offences and computer-related fraud is well-established. US authorities in particular have been active in seeking extradition of individuals accused of high-profile hacking and cybercrime offences. Anyone facing extradition proceedings should seek specialist legal advice immediately, as there are a range of potential grounds for resisting an extradition request.
Cybercrime investigations are technically complex, internationally dispersed, and frequently involve the intersection of criminal law, data protection law, financial regulation, and sanctions law. Digital evidence is easily mishandled and the forensic chain of custody must be carefully scrutinised. The cross-border nature of most serious cybercrime means that specialist advice on jurisdictional questions, extradition risk, and international legal cooperation is essential from the outset. Specialist solicitors in this area combine legal expertise with an understanding of the technical landscape.
