Attorney General Jack Conway launched the Cyber Crimes Unit, a branch of the Department of Criminal Investigations, in June 2008. The creation of this investigative unit followed through on his commitment to devote resources from his office to help stem the rising tide of online crimes.
Investigators from this unit concentrate their efforts on cases of online solicitation, scams and identity theft. The Cyber Crimes Unit also helps process digital forensic evidence from cell phones and computers in its lab, reducing the turnaround time for investigators. It’s estimated that 80 percent of crimes today now involve some sort of digital forensics. That’s why Attorney General Conway and the Cyber Crimes Unit are conducting regional trainings for law-enforcement officers and prosecutors in how to preserve and process this evidence.
Assistance to Kentucky law enforcement agencies
The Cyber Crimes Unit offers assistance to all law-enforcement agencies in Kentucky investigating computer-related crimes. By sharing investigation resources, agencies with no access to electronic crime expertise or computer forensic services can take advantage of investigative personnel and the digital forensics capabilities of the Office of the Attorney General. Investigators requesting assistance may contact the Cyber Crimes Unit at 502-696-5367.
Report a cyber crime
If you would like to contact the Cyber Crimes Unit about an investigation, call 866-524-3672 or email dciforce@ag.ky.gov. Information may be shared anonymously.
Cyber crimes statistics
- Kentucky Attorney General arrested 29 suspects in three cybersafety stings
- 50,000 sex offenders removed from MySpace in one year
- 1 in 7 youths ages 10 to 17 report receiving unwanted sexual solicitations online
- 30% of those solicitations involve attempts to make contact offline
- Only 25% of solicitations are reported to adults or law enforcement
- Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America
- Last year, 8.5 million Americans were victims of identity theft
- Identity theft cost consumers $45 billion last year
- Average loss per consumer was $3,200