X-BoYs 24

Bandar Seri Begawan - A Talk on cyber crime was held yesterday at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

Entitled "Cyber Crime: What's happening in Brunei Darussalam?", the talk was presented by P/ASP Ak Omar Ali Pg Manshor, Commercial Crime Investigation Division, Royal Brunei Police Force.

In his presentation, Ak Omar Ali spoke of the legislation of the Computer Misuse Act 2000 (Chp 194 of the laws of Brunei), which states that: "An Act to make provision for securing computer material against unauthorised access or modification and for matters related thereto".

Ak Omar Ali explained that this basically deals with any illegal acts using or involving computer devices, materials and/or services, and includes all forms of computer devices, networks and mobile technology.

He then spoke of the possible offences, which include unauthorised access to computer material, unauthorised disclosure of access code and unauthorised modification of computer material, to name a few.

This was followed by the penalties, - with the minimum penalty of a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment or a term not exceeding two years or both and a maximum penalty of a fine not exceeding $100,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years or, both.

The presenter also shared cyber crime statistics in Brunei, which showed two, five, 14, 11 and 12 reported cases for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.

However, he then pointed out that the statistics "only depict reported cases and many go unreported."

Some of the types and targets of cyber crimes include malicious blogging or Internet postings with intention to defame or incite others to harass an individual, group or association, committing or attempting to commit cheating or fraud (various Internet, email and SMS scams) and serious cyber crime (hacking, extortion and chit/ pornography).

According to Ak Omar Ali, investigation procedures include: Reports being made at the district police stations for initial investigations, forwarded to the Commercial Crime Investigation Division upon classification for further investigation, traditional investigative methods (information and evidence gathering) and search and seizure."

Touching on 'Inter-Agency Partnership', he said, "A single agency may not be effective against a common adversary," and that an "inter-agency collaboration is key towards a shared goal" many go unreported."

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