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Issue:-  17 January 2015

AN 18 year old man was arrested by the National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU), worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), on 16.1.2015, at an address in Boundary Street, Southport, Merseyside, UK. The male was arrested suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material contrary to:- 'Section 1  of Computer Misuse Act 1990', unauthorised access with intent to commit further offences contrary to 'Section 2  of Computer Misuse Act 1990' and threats to kill contrary to:- 'Section 16  of Offences against the Person Act 1861'. As a result of this arrest, TV and reporters from all over have arrived at a popular English seaside resort.

Merseyside Police have told the media that Merseyside Police as well as Titan North West Regional Organised Crime Unit are:- "not involved in the investigation" and they will:- "not be commenting to the media on this matter."

The investigation, we are told, is being conducted by Police Officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) Cyber Crime Unit, supported by Titan ROCU (North West Regional Organised Crime Unit).

We have also been told that SEROCU, has been working closely with the FBI on the operation and they have been focusing the investigation on the denial of service attack of Sony Playstation and Xbox systems in 2014, along with 'swatting'  offences. This arrest was part of that investigation.

If readers do not know what 'Swatting' is, it is a term used to describe criminal activity, by an individual or group, who knowingly provides false information to Law Enforcement Agencies in the USA, suggesting that a threat exists at a particular location so that Police respond with Tactical Units. In the US, Tactical Units are often referred to as 'SWAT'. Making false threats drains Law Enforcement Resources and can cause significant distress or physical injury to first responders or victims.

On the raids a number of electronic and digital devices were seized to be examined by both SEROCU's Cyber Crime Forensic and eForensics Unit.  Craig Jones, Head of the Cyber Crime Unit at SEROCU, said:- "This investigation is a good example of joint law enforcement cooperation in relation to a type of criminality that is not restricted by any geographical boundaries. We are still at the early stages of the investigation and there is still much work to be done. We will continue to work closely with the FBI to identify those to who commit offences and hold them to account. Offences referred to as 'swatting' involve law enforcement forces in the United States receiving hoax calls via Skype for a major incident in which SWAT teams were dispatched. We are pursuing cyber criminals using the latest technology and working with businesses and academia to further develop specialist investigative capabilities to protect and reduce the risk to the public. Cyber crime is an issue which has no boundaries and affects people on a local, regional and global level. I would like to urge everyone to check their home and business computer security and follow the advice available on sites such as:- CyberStreetwise.com and GetSafeOnline.Org. Finally I would ask anyone who has information in regards to cyber offences to report them to Action Fraud at  or anonymously calling Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111 or go to them online."

DCC Peter Goodman, National Policing Lead for Cyber Security at the Association of Police Officers (ACPO), said:- "This is a significant arrest by the South East regional Cyber Crime Unit, supported by North West policing colleagues, of a UK citizen suspected of engaging in serious and organised cyber crime on the national and international stage. The cyber crime investigative capability I am overseeing across the Regional Organised Crime Units increasingly allows policing toundertake such complex investigations as a networked specialist resource, and in collaboration with international law enforcement partners, as in this case the FBI. This arrest demonstrates that we will pursue those who commit crime with the false perception they are protected within their own homes or hiding behind anonymous online personas. As we continue to build capability and develop skills across wider Policing, we still need industry, communities and individuals to protect themselves by implementing basic security measures whilst taking full advantage and enjoyment the opportunities the world wide web provides."

Please let us know your reactions to this news by emailing us to:- news24@SouthportReporter.com.