What Are Common Cyber and Internet Crimes in South Carolina?

Cyber and internet crimes are becoming more and more prevalent throughout the United States and South Carolina. And while these crimes come in all different shapes and sizes, some are more common than others. If you’ve been charged with an internet crime, an experienced criminal defense attorney in Greenville, South Carolina, is on your side and here to help. 

Online Harassment and Cyberbullying 

Online harassment and cyberbullying have been around since the advent of the internet, and it continues to pick up speed. This charge relates to using electronic means, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, to intimidate, threaten, or outright harm others. While no two cases of online harassment or cyberbullying are ever identical, they often take the following forms:

• Spreading false rumors about someone else on social media
• Posting sexually explicit photos of someone else without their consent
• Sending threatening messages online
• Creating fake profiles or websites to impersonate another person or to defame them

Hacking and Unauthorized Access

Hacking is the criminal act of obtaining unauthorized access to computer systems or networks with the intention of doing harm. Specific forms of hacking include:

• Stealing sensitive data
• Installing malware
• Causing damage to specific parts of the computer system

Identity Theft

Identity theft refers to stealing someone else’s personal information in an attempt to commit fraud or any other crime, and it’s illegal in South Carolina and every other state in the nation. Examples of illegally obtained information can include all the following:

• A person’s name
• A person’s contact information
• A person’s social security number
• A person’s bank or credit card information

This just scratches the surface of identity theft, which can take many complex forms.

Online Fraud and Scams

It’s difficult to keep up with all the online fraud and scams out there, but they are all related to deceiving victims by electronic means – generally for financial gain. A few common examples include:

• Phishing emails that entice recipients into providing private information
• Investment schemes
• Romance scams

Possessing or Disseminating Child Sexual Abuse Materials

Possessing, disseminating, or producing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) – or what used to be called child pornography – is illegal, including in all the following forms:

• Knowingly disseminating, obtaining, or promoting any material that includes a visual representation of a minor who is engaged in a sexual activity or who appears in a sexually explicit pose
• Advertising or promoting CSAM
• Creating, producing, or directing CSAM
• Possessing CSAM with the intention of disseminating, obtaining, or promoting child pornography

You Need an Experienced Greenville Criminal Defense Attorney in Your Corner

The knowledgeable South Carolina criminal defense attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law in Greenville welcome the opportunity to build your strongest defense in the face of a cyber or internet charge, and our successful track record in this arena speaks volumes. Your case is important, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 864-679-7777 for more information about what we can do to help you today.