Charges against a defendant can grow complicated when an alleged crime involves the Internet. For instance, the Wisconsin law against stalking mainly includes physical intrusions into another person's life for the purpose of harassing him or her. The law also...
Internet Crimes
What is phishing?
The crime's gentle cousin is associated with a quiet stream-side hobby but there are similarities. In both instances, bait is used to fool a target into giving up something of value. A fish snaps at a worm and loses a life just as email recipients are lured into...
Wisconsin lacks a law prohibiting ‘sextortion’
Extortion is not a new crime but Internet technology has made it possible to threaten Wisconsin residents in a new way. So-called sextortion involves using secretly recorded or voluntarily shared sexually explicit images or videos obtained online to blackmail someone....
How is cyberstalking defined?
Many people in Milwaukee use the Internet to share how they feel through images or opinions that may or may not get the attention and support of other users. It is not an Internet crime to express yourself provided your intent is not to cause emotional or physical...
State and federal Internet gambling laws
Wisconsin laws address personal and professional gambling without specifically mentioning online gambling. Some Milwaukee residents may believe the lack of an Internet gambling law is the same as permission to bet. That's a false assumption -- online gambling can lead...
Wisconsin laws and the consequences of cyberbullying
Computer technology and electronic devices offer Milwaukee residents the opportunity to communicate any time from almost any place. Online expression and criticism have legal limitations when someone else is harmed by the words, images or videos sent through texts,...
The authorities are wising up about phishing scams
Of all the purported Internet scams working through the Web these days, phishing emails have often been the most elusive for security experts to pinpoint. These types of emails change and evolve as available technology expands, making it difficult for the authorities...
The role of the Secret Service in Internet crimes
It may surprise some Wisconsin residents to know that the United States Secret Service can play a large role in prosecuting Internet crimes. The Secret Service does not only protect the president and other dignitaries; the organization is also responsible for...
Are phishing and fraud the same thing?
Charges related to alleged Internet crimes can be confusing for the uninitiated. For many, it seems like some of the individual charges are actually one and the same. As with any criminal charge, it is important to learn exactly what the allegations against you really...
Breaking down the different types of Internet crime
In today's technology-infused environment, Internet crimes are becoming more and more prevalent. In fact, some people charged with Internet crimes may not have known what they were doing was wrong, believe it or not. If you or someone you know is looking at any type...