Cyber fraud victims need “network of support services”

Australia needs to develop counselling programmes to help thousands of people who are deceived every year by online scams, according to a Brisbane criminologist.

Queensland University of Technology senior law lecturer, Cassandra Cross says the emotional impact of cyber fraud is devastating, and can led to physical health problems, depression and suicide.

Cross has co-authored Cyber Frauds, Scams and their Victims, with University of Portsmouth fraud studies director Mark Button. The book was published in June by Routledge and looks at common types of online scams, how perpetrators select victims and current approaches to detecting and preventing cybercrime.