Attorney General Directs Department of Justice to Crack Down on Coronavirus Scammers, Cyber Criminals

In a memo to attorney’s offices across the country, William Barr said that federal law enforcement should prioritize investigating and prosecuting crimes related to the pandemic.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Mar 18, 2020

Under the direction of Attorney General William Barr, federal attorney’s offices will focus on prosecuting scammers seeking to profit from growing panic over the coronavirus pandemic.

Barr sent a memo to all U.S. attorneys on Monday that stated the Department of Justice’s mission of “detecting, investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing” related to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to laying out steps the department is taking to keep federal law enforcement officers, attorneys and judges safe, Barr instructed attorneys to go after cybercriminals trying to take advantage of unsuspecting Americans.

In the memo obtained by CyberScoop, Barr pointed to reports of businesses selling fake coronavirus cures online, phishing campaigns from scammers pretending to be the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization, and criminals inserting malware on mobile apps claiming to track the spread of COVID-19.

“The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot be tolerated,” Barr wrote. “Every U.S. Attorney’s Office is thus hereby directed to prioritize the detection, investigation, and prosecution of all criminal conduct related to the current pandemic.”

Read More: High Number of Recently Created Coronavirus Websites Linked to Scamming Operations

Attorneys were advised to work closely with local and state authorities to ensure that federal law enforcement is informed about “misconduct as quickly as possible” and that enforcement tools are available to punish those crimes.

The memo was sent shortly after cybersecurity researchers and journalists reported on apps pretending to offer information on the virus that actually just infected users’ phones with malware. One Android app even downloaded ransomware to the user’s phone, only unlocking the device if the owner sent $100 in Bitcoin within 48 hours, according to Forbes.

Americans are advised to not click on links from emails or users they do not recognize, and only download apps from official app stores, which have likely been vetted by Apple or Google. Both companies have said they have cracked down on malicious apps in the weeks since the coronavirus pandemic sprouted scams and cybercrime.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.