High Tech Crime

San Diego County has experienced a high tech explosion over the past decade. Wireless communications giants, software companies and Internet-related businesses have transformed the County's economy. Accompanying the growth, however, has been a rise in technology crime.

Internet Worm		Probation Search
Internet Worm		Probation Search
Internet Worm		Probation Search

To combat the trend, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office organized a specialized multi-jurisdictional task force dedicated to investigating and prosecuting high tech crimes. With the assistance of a grant from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the unit began operations in it current form in June 2000, targeting crime in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside Counties. The task force is referred to as C.A.T.C.H., an acronym that stands for Computer And Technology Crime High Tech Response Team. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office is the lead agency for C.A.T.C.H., and the team includes individuals from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

C.A.T.C.H. is comprised of dedicated individuals from the following agencies:

• California Attorney General's Office
• California Department of Justice
• California Department of Motor Vehicles
• California State Parole
• Carlsbad Police Department
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Imperial County District Attorney's Office
• Riverside County District Attorney's Office
• Riverside County Probation Department
• Riverside County Sheriff's Department
• San Diego County District Attorney's Office
• San Diego County Sheriff's Department
• San Diego Police Department
• United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• United States Internal Revenue Service
• United States Postal Inspector
• United States Secret Service

Cases are brought to the attention of C.A.T.C.H. by citizens, law enforcement and local businesses. If you believe you are the victim of a high tech crime, please direct your complaints to law enforcement. If an investigation determines that charges are appropriate, the case may be referred to C.A.T.C.H.

Identity Theft Resources
What is identity theft?
Id theft brochure

News Releases

March 30, 2004: Leader of Identity Theft Ring Pleads Guilty
November 18, 2003: County's Largest Identity Theft Ring Indicted

Related Links

• Computer & Technology Crime High-Tech Response Team
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory
• High Tech Crime Investigation Association