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European Communications
Autumn 1998 Organised Chaos
The abuse of mobile technology has ramifications beyond the defrauding of telcos. European Communications Editor, Lynd Morley, looks at the battle still to be won.
Telecommunications fraud remains a considerable problem for he industry, clearly illustrated by the level of debate and response to articles on the subject, carried in European Communications. The damage done by such fraud, however, is not confined to the telecoms industry, as is highlighted in the following letter, addressed to the Editor, from Jeanine Pirro, District Attorney, Westchester County, New York. “I am writing to express my strong support for Roseanna DeMaria’s article ‘Fraudulent Discord’, published in the Summer of 1998 issue of European Communications. Wireless fraud remains a serious problem in the United States and is a priority in many prosecution offices, certainly in mine. Wireless fraud has many victims. Revenue losses to the wireless communication industry are only the most obvious consequences of this type of criminal activity. Stolen wireless communications routinely support narcotics trafficking, gambling and numerous other organised crime activities. Private, law abiding citizens are thus victimized twice, not only by the disruption and increased cost of their cellular service, but also as victims of the crimes supported by wireless fraud. Wireless communications technology is expanding at an amazing rate, and law enforcement has an obligation to combat the criminal misuse of wireless systems. Let there be no doubt the problem remains a serious one. This is why law enforcement t the local, State and Federal levels continues to be very interested in prosecuting wireless fraud. The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office has a very close working relationship with Ms DeMaria and AT&T Wireless. We have worked together on law enforcement training, on investigations and on legislative initiatives. I am proud of this co-operation, and it will continue as long as the public and the communications industry are victims of wireless fraud.” Ms. Pirro’s letter clearly serves to emphasise the responsibility of communications providers to engage in the battle against fraud, and ensure the security of their systems. Their involvement is necessary not only to preserve their own immediate commercial interests, but also to ensure future confidence in the widespread use of information and communications systems. |
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