Half of cybercrime victims in Britain do not care enough about the incident to wish their assailant was unmasked, according to a survey backed by the Cabinet Office.
Only 51% of the population reported being a victim of online fraud, identity theft, hacking, virus distribution or online abuse, with a similar number saying they felt online crimes were as serious as those in the physical world.
Detective superintendent Pete O’Doherty, head of the City of London Police’s fraud office, said: "Cheap and easy access to the internet is changing the world and transforming our lives.
"What many of us may be less aware of is that financial crime has moved online and poses a major threat to people of all ages and from all walks of life living in the UK today."
Online fraud cost the country £670m in the year ending in August 31, with the cyber market said to be worth £80bn by the Cabinet Office.
Only a third of victims said they reported the crimes to the police, and half said they did not know who they were supposed to report cybercrime to.
Francis Maude, minister for the Cabinet Office, said: "The internet is undoubtedly a force for good but we cannot stand still in the face of these threats, which already cost our economy billions every year.
"We have a £860 million Cyber Security Programme which supports law enforcement’s response to cybercrime and we are working with the private sector to help all businesses protect vital information assets."
