The internet has largely been a force for good. With that being said, it has also opened the door to a whole host of crimes that can be committed online.
When an offense has been committed online, that doesn’t mean the authorities take it any less seriously. There are severe penalties for those convicted of certain types of online crimes.
Outlined below are some of the more common offenses that can be committed online.
Stalking and harassment
In the past, harassment used to usually occur in person. Nonetheless, computers and electronic devices have changed this. The law has had to adapt to take cyberstalking and online harassment into account.
Online harassment can occur via email, text messages, social media channels and other forms of online communication methods. The key element of harassment is that it causes a reasonable person to feel frightened, intimidated and in danger.
Online fraud
The Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act outlines the law on various computer crimes, including online fraud. Broadly speaking, fraud amounts to any conduct that deceives another party to gain a profit. Online credit fraud is one of the most common offenses of this nature. As many individuals now enter their banking and credit card details online, these can be used for nefarious purposes.
The potential penalties for online fraud vary depending on the sums of money involved. A fraud conviction involving the acquisition of more than $500 can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Being charged with an online offense under the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act is very serious. It’s important to seek legal guidance at the earliest opportunity.