Web fraudsters scam UK computer users every seven SECONDS

A Briton is targeted by cybercrime every seven seconds as more than 420,000 scam emails are sent every hour to UK computer users, a report reveals today. A staggering 3.7billion so-called phishing messages were sent to Britons in the last 12 months, according to insurer CPP. The emails are often sent by criminals posing as the internet operation of major banks. They are designed to trick victims into logging into a bogus bank website and giving up their account details and passwords. CPP said a quarter of us admit to falling victim to e-fraudsters, with the average victim losing over £285 each. Fake banking emails are the most common method used by criminals, with 55 per cent of those targeted receiving seemingly legitimate e-correspondence from high street banks. Over half received false lottery or competition prize draws, while a further one in two was targeted by foreign cons such as those generated by Nigerian gangs. (Daily Mail)