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California Attorney General Creates eCrime Unit

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – California Attorney General Kamala Harris has created a 20-attorney unit that will specifically target technology crimes.

The eCrime Unit will be in charge of identifying and prosecuting identity theft, cybercrimes and other crimes involving the use of technology.

"Where there are predators and predatory practices, we want to ensure that we have the skills and technology to go after them and make sure there will be accountability and consequence," said Harris.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

She said that with the implementation of the eCrime Unit, she hopes that California can be a leader in using innovative law enforcement techniques to target these types of criminals.

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said the task force will be a model for others to follow.

"It will be innovative, wide-reaching and an important initiative," said Rosen.

The eCrime Unit will also provide investigative and prosecutorial support to the five California regional high-tech task forces funded through the High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution Trust Fund Program.

California had 10 of the top 25 metropolitan areas for identity-theft related consumer complaints in 2010.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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