Queensland Detective Receives International Award for Fighting Cybercrime from McAfee, Inc.
Brian Hay Honoured by McAfee for Efforts in Combating Online Fraud
SYDNEY, July 16, 2009 - McAfee, Inc. (NYSE:MFE) today presented Brian Hay, Detective Superintendent of the Queensland Police Service, with the McAfee® Cybercrime Fighter Award. This international award is given by McAfee to individuals who make great strides in the global effort to combat cybercrime. Hay was recognised for his efforts in educating the public about cybercrime, fighting banking and online fraud, and his role in investigating a Nigerian advance fee fraud scam that saw Australians losing $36 million dollars a year. Hay was presented with the award during McAfee’s Strategic Summit in Sydney by McAfee chief executive officer and president, Dave DeWalt.
“The McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award acknowledges individuals who not only make a significant contribution to preventing and fighting global cybercrime, but also in raising awareness,” said Dave DeWalt, president and chief executive officer, McAfee. “Brian Hay’s efforts in protecting the public from cybercriminals have had an impact not only in Australia, but further afield.”
Brian Hay has been a member of the Queensland Police Service for 28 years and has worked extensively in the area of fraud and corporate crime since 2004. He currently oversees Queensland Police Services’ Fraud and Corporate Crime Group, which includes units that specialise in identity crime, computer crime and fraud prevention.
Hay played a leading role in the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group’s collaboration with Australian and international authorities in an extensive investigation of a Nigerian scam that stripped Australian consumers and businesses of millions of dollars. A sting set up by Hay’s group and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria led to the arrest of 10 Nigerians for committing Internet fraud. Under Hay’s leadership, the Queensland Fraud and Corporate Crime Group also launched two world firsts in preventing and reporting cybercrime. Collaboration with The Western Union Company has resulted in an enhanced fraud prevention early warning system that flags when money is being sent to high risk countries, thus boosting Australia’s fraud prevention strategies.
An online reporting portal, developed with eBay, was also the first of its kind, allowing Australian and international consumers to report online auction fraud. This central reporting system streamlined the process for investigating complaints and prosecuting offenders. One of Hay’s other key achievements has been Project Synergy, established to conduct symposiums and conferences on a number of fraud topics. To date, the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group has delivered more than 140 presentations about fraud and cybercrime to 12,000 community members. Their conferences have attracted delegates and experts from around the world.
Brian Hay and the Queensland Police Service are continuing to take a leading role in addressing online fraud, working with the Australian and international law enforcement community to investigate cybercrime activities and educating local and global communities.
The McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award is given to an individual from government, industry, academia or a non-governmental organisation who has exemplified outstanding leadership in the global effort to combat cybercrime. The honouree has contributed to the effort in a way that may include: raising awareness of cybercrime prevention, leading law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute cybercrime, educating the next generation of cybercrime fighters, creating innovative ways to combat cybercrime, protecting consumers or children from cybercrime threats, or other efforts.
The McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award is part of the McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime. For more information on the Initiative visit http://www.mcafee.com/fightcybercrime.
About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world's largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world's toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com
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Jillian Friant, (02) 9286 1243
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Joris Evers, 408-346-3310
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