HK has very low high-tech crime rate

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The level of high-tech crime in Hong Kong is very low compared with some other countries, according to the Crime Intelligence Officer of the Financial and High Tech Crime Sub-Directorate of the Interpol General Secretariat, Mr Bernhard Otupal.

On the conclusion of the Information Technology (IT) Investigation and Training Seminar jointly organised by the Force and the Interpol for investigators and trainers in the Asia-South Pacific Region, Mr Otupal told OffBeat that he had a high regard for the Commercial Crime Bureau's Computer Forensics Laboratory.

"The laboratory is a role model for investigating high-tech crime and computer forensic examinations,"he noted.

Mr Otupal pointed out that the seminar had highlighted the need of harmonised training for cyber crime investigators in the Asia-South Pacific Region, adding that he appreciated the initiative taken by the Force in bringing the investigators together to share their experience and expertise.

"All the delegates to the seminar recognise the urgent need for harmonised training and closer co-operation at various levels among different jurisdictions," he noted.

Earlier, speaking at the opening of the seminar, the Director of Crime and Security, Mr Chau Foo-cheong, pointed out that the seminar signified the importance of international co-operation in the fight against cyber crime.

The borderless nature of global networks required "an unprecedented level of international co-operation", he noted.

Mr Chau stressed the need for a sufficient number of qualified officers at different levels for protecting cyber security, as well as the need to equip them with the right competence, which should include long-term professional education. Computer forensic experts were also indispensable for identifying, searching, retrieving and analysing digital evidence, he added.

Turning to the situation in Hong Kong, Mr Chau said the number of technology crime in the territory is relatively low. Despite this, he had formed and chaired a Technology Crime Steering Committee in order to develop strategies and oversee their implementation to pre-empt potential problems which may happen on or through the Internet. In this respect, he invited the delegates to offer their comments and suggestions, and to share their strategies and practices with his colleagues.

In conclusion, Mr Chau told the delegates that "I am confident that your attendance here will lead to the start of closer ties between our respective technology crime investigation units which will ultimately benefit the Region as a whole".

Thirty cyber crime experts from eight different jurisdictions, including Interpol General Secretariat, the Mainland, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Australia and Macao had attended the three-day seminar. At the end of the seminar, the delegates felt that the seminar had consolidated valuable experience and concepts, and had identified the way forward.

Recommendations of the seminar will be reported in the 5th Interpol Asia-South Pacific Working Party Meeting on IT Crime in Shanghai at the end of this month. Hong Kong is the Vice Chairman of the Working Party.

DC&S Mr Chau Foo-cheong officiates at the opening of the seminar