Combating illegitimate bank transfers through the internet in Portuguese law: between domestic experiences and concerted global policies

Abstract

The study that led to this article verified how Portuguese law provides mechanisms that allow combat policies on illegitimate bank transfers using the Internet. The methodological approach consisted not only on a rigorous analysis of the legal framework of the issue but also on a statistical analysis of data corresponding to computer and communications fraud crimes registered by the police authorities. It is defended that illegitimate bank transfers through the Internet should be considered a fraud instead of a swindle, as well as presented data supporting the idea that, in the next five to ten years, this problem will become extremely important for the judiciary and for society as a whole. Finally, and as part of the effort for a concerted international policy, it is suggested that future studies extend the research themes here presented to other geographical regions, of which South America is an example and, in particular, to countries with close proximity to Portugal, as is the case of Brazil.

Computer fraud; illegitimate bank transfers; combat policy; Internet; Portuguese law