The global economic crisis and social networking sites are to blame for an increase in cyber crime, police say.
Cases referred to their electronic crime labs have increased by an estimated 40% in the past financial year.
Bill Crane of the police E-crime group says there is no doubt the economic crisis is partly to blame for an increase in cyber crime.
Mr Crane says it is also easier to commit, with more people making personal information available online through social networking sites such as Facebook.
Mr Crane says people need to be aware that kind of information on the internet is like holding up a sign with their complete identity on it.
He says cyber crime is a global phenomenon and will no doubt increase.
