+44 (0)161 228 2244

Cyber Crime & Internet Fraud Solicitors

If you are under investigation or have been charged with internet fraud or another cyber crime offence, our solicitors can help you understand the allegation and what to do next. We provide clear advice and defence representation from the police investigation through to court proceedings.

Digital evidence can be complex. Our team examines the material said to link you to the alleged offence, including emails, account activity and online transactions. Where identity or access is disputed, we scrutinise whether that evidence reliably establishes who was responsible.

Draycott Browne is recognised by Chambers UK for Crime, and our team includes solicitors accredited under the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation scheme. We represent clients across England and Wales, combining careful evidence analysis with practical advice at each stage of the case.

For confidential advice, call our team using the number at the top of this page or complete our contact form to request a call back.

How our Cyber Crime Solicitors can Help?

Cyber crime offences are immediately made complex by the nature of the technology involved.

A lack of understanding around technology makes being accused of a cyber crime particularly worrying. The whole case is immediately made more complex with the introduction of technology, and this only serves to add to what is already a stressful time for anyone.

Our serious crime solicitors have worked on a wide variety of cyber crime cases. We know exactly what is required to help you and give everyone involved a complete understanding of the pertinent facts in the case.

Our team is available 24/7 to provide you with specialist guidance and support including:

 

  • Representing you at the police station
  • Ensuring your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly throughout the process
  • Advising you on your plea
  • Applying for any bail and ensuring the impact of any conditions is minimised
  • Ensuring you are fully prepared for your trial
  • Providing expert representation in court
  • Helping you protect your reputation
  • Advising and assisting you on the appeals process, if necessary.

We understand how stressful the process of being accused of a serious crime can be. Our skilled, experienced legal team will work tirelessly to ensure you and your family are treated with empathy and respect at all times.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

Criminal Defence Expertise for Internet & Cyber Crime Offences

Dedicated expertise for defending all types of Cyber Fraud Offences.

Hacking Offences

Our Internet & Cyber Fraud Solicitors

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

Credit Card Fraud on the Internet

There are many forms of online fraud, but here we specifically mean those cases of internet fraud that relate to credit card fraud - for example, obtaining individuals' credit card details by online deception and then using them to make payments, buy goods and transfer money.

Online credit card fraud itself can take many forms. For example, different fraudsters involved in different incidences of internet fraud might:

 

  • Use stolen cards for online transactions, including ordering goods online and transferring money or requesting a cash advance on the card.
  • Buy and sell databases of stolen credit card details via websites on the 'dark web' which can then be used to create counterfeit cards.
  • Set up websites and send out emails to commit 'phishing' attacks, in an attempt to gain enough details from an individual to clone their card.

Clearly internet fraud can overlap with cases of real-world credit card fraud too, but some acts - such as sending out phishing emails or setting up fake websites to collect people's card details - can only be committed online.

At Draycott Browne we have over 20 years' experience in defending all kinds of credit card fraud allegations on behalf of our clients. Accusations of online credit card fraud in particular need up-to-date expertise in order to mount a successful defence.

By continually updating our practices and procedures and keeping abreast of developments in internet credit card fraud in Manchester and across the north-west, we make sure we have the necessary know how to build your defence.

What is The Computer Misuse Act 1990? 

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 is the principal legislation covering unauthorised access to computer systems and other forms of computer misuse. It creates a number of offences relating to hacking, interference with computer systems and the creation or supply of tools used to commit computer misuse offences.

The offences defined in the CMA can be divided in:

  • Section 1 - unauthorised access to computer material. It is a criminal offence to use a computer to access any material without proper authorisation. It is necessary that the offender had knowledge of the lack of authorisation, and this act carries a sentence of up to 2 years’ imprisonment.
  • Section 2 - unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate further offences. This definition adds to a Section 1 offence by proving the intent of the offender to facilitate a further, serious offence, such as accessing material with the intent to blackmail an individual or organisation. Section 2 offences carry a penalty of up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
  • Section 3 - unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer. It is a criminal offence to impair the operation or hinder access to any computer - or data or program in a computer, or facilitate any such acts for a third party. Relevant Section 3 cases involve DDoS attacks, and can involve imprisonment up to 10 years.
  • Section 3ZA - unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage. This can be aggravated if serious danger to human life or national security exists. Normally, Section 3ZA offences carry up to a 14 years’ imprisonment sentence, but a life sentence can be imposed for particularly serious cases.
  • Section 3A - Making, supplying, or obtaining articles for use in offence under Section 1, 3, or 3ZA. While the CMA does not define such articles, other pieces of legislation have described the term as anything that contains data or a program in electronic form.

Further parts of the legislation define liability for a serious crime, requiring proof of significant links to the home country of the victim or the accused. Geographical location of the offender, victim, or server used as part of a criminal offence will usually qualify as a significant link.

Specialist Cyber Fraud Offence Solicitors

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Cyber Crime Offence Solicitors today.

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24 Hour Availability 

It is not always possible to predict an arrest, which is why our legal advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At Draycott Browne we have a team of professionals ready to assist you whenever you need us. We will represent you at the police station and thereafter to make sure you and your case are treated fairly and appropriately.

Legal Aid

Unexpected legal fees can come as a nasty and expensive surprise. To assist you with the financial cost of defending your name, we can help you apply for legal aid to enable you to focus on what really matters. Our solicitors at Draycott Browne can guide you through the application process so that you have the best chance of receiving the financial assistance you need.

Speak to an expert

Our legal team is available 7 days a week

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Contact our Cyber Crime Solicitors

If you or someone you know is facing charges related to computer or Internet crime, it is essential that you engage the expertise of professional criminal lawyers who will be able to help and advise you on a defence strategy as soon as possible. Contact us today by calling +44 (0)161 228 2244. If you would like us to contact you, simply fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.

We are highly regarded nationally across the legal profession and noted for consistently delivering positive results for our clients. Our expert Cyber Crime Solicitors regularly act for clients in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London. As a recognised criminal defence law firm we can represent you wherever you live in England and Wales.

By entrusting us, you can be assured that you will be working with a team of highly skilled and experienced solicitors who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of this area of law.

Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need expert legal advice or representation, call us in confidence now. When you are facing the stiffest challenges, you cannot afford to settle for anything less than Draycott Browne.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cyber Fraud Offences

Cyber crime refers to offences committed using computers, mobile devices or the internet. It includes both attacks on computer systems, such as hacking, malware and denial-of-service attacks, and cyber-enabled offences such as online fraud, identity theft, harassment, grooming and the sharing of indecent images.

Cryptocurrency crime refers to offences involving digital assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, including fraud, money laundering, ransomware and tax evasion. These cases can be complex because transactions may be difficult to trace and investigations often involve detailed analysis of digital wallets, exchanges and ownership.

Cyber theft involves stealing personal, financial or confidential information or digital assets through computers, networks or online accounts. Examples include identity theft, phishing and unauthorised access to bank or business systems, with offences commonly prosecuted under legislation such as the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Fraud Act 2006.

Internet fraud involves using online platforms, emails, websites or social media to deceive individuals or businesses for financial gain. Examples include phishing, investment and cryptocurrency scams, romance fraud, marketplace fraud and business email compromise, with offences commonly prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006 and, where relevant, the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Possible defences depend on the offence and evidence, but may include lack of intent or knowledge, mistaken identity, unauthorised use of a device or account by someone else, or challenges to the reliability or lawfulness of digital evidence. Cyber crime cases often require detailed analysis of devices, account activity and forensic evidence.

Cyber fraud involves using digital platforms or communications dishonestly to obtain money, personal data or other benefits. Common examples include phishing, online banking fraud, cryptocurrency scams, romance fraud, business email compromise, marketplace scams and identity theft, with many offences prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006.

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