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DCWP's capacity and limitations in investigating cyber crimes

0:31:53

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Council Member Alexa Avilés inquires about DCWP's in-house capacity to investigate cyber crimes related to immigration services fraud. DCWP representatives explain their limitations and partnerships with other agencies.

DCWP is a civil enforcement agency and does not conduct criminal investigations
The agency has established connections with the attorney general's office and district attorneys' offices for cases better suited for criminal investigation
DCWP focuses on information sharing and collaboration with other agencies to address cyber crimes
The agency encourages reporting of all complaints, even if they can't handle them directly, to help marshal city resources effectively

Alexa Avilés

0:31:53

However, so obviously these types of crimes, right, are very particular and do require some very particular expertise.

0:32:04

As DCWP, I'm gonna say this wrong at least 10 times and forgive me.

0:32:11

Does the agency have in house capacity to investigate cyber crimes or how does the agency engage in that type of investigation?

0:32:23

Thank

Vilda Vera Mayuga

0:32:24

you.

0:32:24

I'm really glad you brought that up because it's certainly right, and we don't do criminal investigations.

0:32:29

We're civil enforcement agency, And that is also one of the reasons why we have the relationships of establishing connections with the attorney general's office or the district attorneys' offices because there are some aspects of this industry that depending on the case are definitely going to be better suited for a criminal investigation or agencies that have certain powers that we don't have just based on being a civil enforcement agency.

Michael Tiger

0:32:59

Yeah.

0:32:59

I mean, that's, I think, a reality, but that's why, as the commissioner has said, we're doubling our efforts to have information sharing with the district attorney's office, with the attorney general's office.

0:33:10

And I think it's still important for complaints to be made because even if we can't handle it directly, or we determine that we are not the agency best in a place to help this individual consumer or pursue this individual investigation.

0:33:27

We have contacts at different offices across the five boroughs.

0:33:30

And we can talk to them and figure out what's the best approach overall marshaling all of the city's resources to move forward.

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DCWP's approach to investigating fraud on social media platforms

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DCWP's process for handling specific immigration services fraud cases