The ability to hide true identity is critical to the successful operation of organised crime groups. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in Australia.

This fact sheet is part of the Crime Profile Series; a suite of fact sheets that aim to provide unclassified information on a range of organised crime themes. The fact sheets complement Organised Crime in Australia 2011, an unclassified report that provides government, industry and the Australian community with a comprehensive picture of organised crime issues and trends.

Identity crime encompasses the theft of identity information and related financial information, the assumption of another identity for fraudulent purposes, and the production of false identities and financial documents to commit crimes.

While stealing someone’s identity is a crime in itself, identity theft also provides a foundation for other serious crime. Fraudulent identities may be used for money laundering, tax evasion, to obtain personal loans, enter into credit agreements, deal in stolen motor cars, or to protect the true identities of organised crime members.

Identity crime is not new. However evolving technology continues to be adapted to traditional identity crime methodologies. New technologies already provide improved opportunities for transfer of personal and financial data. The storage and exchange of this information through the use of computers and mobile phones has allowed criminals to increase their crime rates and the number of their victims.

The anonymity of the Internet makes it an ideal channel and instrument for many organised crime activities.

As a result, identity crime has become one of the fastest growing crimes in Australia