OECD Governments To Act On Cross-Border Online Fraud

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

20 June 2003

It emerged on Tuesday that OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) member governments have agreed upon guidelines which outline a framework for cooperation to protect consumers against cross-border fraud and deception, with particular emphasis on scams marketed via the internet.

In a statement released this week, the OECD explained that purveyors of pyramid and lottery schemes, travel and credit-related ploys, and modem and web-page hijacking often escape prosecution because national law enforcement agencies are unable to pursue them across national borders, or share information with their counterparts in other countries.

The OECD also observed that court-ordered remedies designed to prohibit fraudsters from engaging in certain practices are often ineffective in a cross-border situation.

'The OECD guidelines are designed to help governments work together more effectively to stop and prevent cross-border problems,' the multilateral body announced, continuing:

'They set forth broad principles for international cooperation and specific provisions covering notification, information sharing, and assistance with investigations. They also cover issues regarding the authority of consumer protection enforcement agencies, invite private sector cooperation, and set the stage for future work on the issue of consumer redress.'

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