Watch Your Virtual Back: Internet Fraud Doubled in 2009

A new Associated Press report released today indicates that the cost of Internet-related crime is on a drastic upswing. The FBI said today that losses from Internet fraud doubled during 2009 and cost victims a total of $561 billion. Complaints of Internet fraud also swelled by 20 percent last year to more than 300,000, with individual losses ranging anywhere from $30 to $100,000.

In a slightly ironic piece of data, the most prevalent Internet crime noted was FBI impersonation. These crimes accounted for 16 percent of complaints and even included fake emails from FBI Director Robert Mueller. Another notable scam was fake phone calls from a President Barack Obama sound-alike instructing users to a stimulus package website where they paid $28 in fees for the promise of a check. That check never showed up in mailboxes.

So, if you see the FBI or President Obama coming for you, run the other way–but only if they’re coming at you via email/phone with shady addresses looking for money. [via AP] [Photo: *saxon* ]