720 ILCS 5/17-50 – Computer Fraud

720 ILCS 5/17-50 – Computer Fraud

This law makes it a crime to use or break into a computer on purpose to cheat or steal.

This law says it’s illegal to use a computer to trick someone, steal information, or take money. The punishment depends on what was done and how much money or property was involved.

(a) A person commits computer fraud if they do any of the following on purpose:

1. Access or make someone else access a computer, program, or data to plan or carry out a scam or trick.
2. Use, damage, destroy, change, delete, or remove parts of a computer, program, or data while being part of a scam or trick.
3. Access or make someone else access a computer, program, or data to get money, property, or services that belong to someone else as part of a scam or trick.

(b) Sentence:

1. Breaking the rule in part (a)(1) is a Class 4 felony, which is a serious crime.
2. Breaking the rule in part (a)(2) is a Class 3 felony, which is more serious.
3. Breaking the rule in part (a)(3) depends on how much money or property was taken:
1. It’s a Class 4 felony if the amount is $1,000 or less.
2. It’s a Class 3 felony if the amount is more than $1,000 but less than $50,000.
3. It’s a Class 2 felony if the amount is $50,000 or more.

(c) If someone commits computer fraud, the government can take away property connected to the crime following special legal rules about forfeiture.

View the full statute here.

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