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Seminar for Lithuanian Judiciary and Law Enforcement Officials on High-Tech Fraud

April 11, 2000

The Embassy of the United States of America is hosting a four-day seminar for Lithuanian judiciary and law enforcement officials on high-tech fraud.  The seminar, funded by the U. S. Department of State and conducted by U.S. Secret Service and DEA professionals, covers counterfeiting of U.S. currency, drugs/money laundering issues, credit card fraud and use of the internet to commit fraud.

In today's world of high tech computers and printers, unscrupulous people try to take advantage of these advances to make quick money to the detriment of both individuals and governments.  Each year many millions of dollars are obtained fraudulently by people using illicit credit cards and counterfeit dollars.  This increases the cost to businesses requiring them to raise their prices to cover these loses.  Counterfeit money causes people to lose faith in their currency and could lessen the value of their or another countries currency. 

The purpose of these classes presented by the United States Secret Service is to raise the level of awareness on these issues and to offer ways to combat these problems.  The Embassy will host other programs throughout the year on these subjects, as well as others, that hopefully will assist the Lithuanian law enforcement authorities in doing there job of fighting crime.

For further information please contact Margarita Juzoniene, Information Resource Coordinator, tel. 220-481.