Cyber victims is the term used for victims of crimes carried out online, using the internet through computers, laptops, tablets, internet-enabled televisions, games consoles and smart phones.
Cyber-enacted crimes can only be committed on the internet – stealing confidential information that’s stored online, for example. Other crimes which are carried out online, but could be committed without the use of the internet, such as sexual grooming, stalking or harassment, bullying, and financial or romance fraud, are called cyber-enabled crimes and the victims are called cyber victims.
Committing crimes online allows someone to hide their identity and location, which in some cases is thousands of miles away. People who commit cyber crimes are often well organised and believable online. Many cyber crimes are committed by offenders who may be thousands of miles away, which makes it difficult for police and other law enforcement agencies to bring them to justice.
If you’ve been tricked into handing over your personal details or goods, it’s unlikely that you will be able to recover anything stolen by the offender, unless a fraudulent payment qualifies for a refund from your bank or credit card company. If the offender is arrested, goes to court and is convicted, the court will have the power to order them to pay you compensation.