Monday, February 23, 2009

Cyber Crooks Turning To Internet Telephony

Criminals are increasing using the Internet to make phone calls in order to avoid the possibility of their mobile phone calls getting intercepted by law enforcement authorities, according to a European Union body established in 2002 to enhance the effectiveness of organized crime investigations in member states. Carmen Manfredda, acting national member of Eurojust plans to lead an EU investigation on issues related to phone calls that take place through the Internet by way of the popular service Skype and others. "The purpose of Eurojust's coordination role is to overcome the technical and judicial obstacles to the interception of Internet telephony systems, taking into account the various data protection rules and civil rights," the group stated.

According to background information provided by Eurojust, police in Milan say organized crime, arms and drugs traffickers, and prostitution rings are turning to VoIP systems to frustrate law enforcement. "Skype's encryption system is a secret which the company refuses to share with the authorities," the group said. "Investigators have become increasingly reliant on wiretaps in recent years." Customs and tax officials in Milan have highlighted the Skype skirmish and have overheard a suspected cocaine trafficker telling an accomplice to switch to the program to get details of a drug transaction, Eurojust said. "Investigators are convinced that the interception of telephone calls have become an essential tool of the police, who spend millions of Euros each year tracking down crime through wiretaps of landlines and mobile phones," officials said.

"The possibility of intercepting Internet telephony will be an essential tool in the fight against international organized crime within Europe and beyond. Our aim is not to stop users from taking advantage of internet telephony, but to prevent criminals from using Skype and other systems to plan and organize their unlawful actions," Manfredda said. "Eurojust will make all possible efforts to coordinate and assist in the cooperation between member states." -- Winter Casey

Update: Skype's Brian O'Shaughnessy issued a response to Eurojusts' allegations saying: "It is unfortunate that Eurojust chose to release this inaccurate report without first contacting us. Skype has extensively debriefed Eurojust on our capabilities and programs. Skype cooperates with law enforcement where legally and technically possible."