Fighting cyber-crime requires an Enron-like scandal to force the hand of legislators, the FBI argued today.

Only after such an event could the necessary reforms be made to allow authorities to effectively battle online criminals, according to FBI special agent Shéna Boswell-Crowe.

"My theory is that computer crime is kind of like white collar crime before Enron," Boswell-Crowe said during a presentation at the McAfee Avert Labs Day in Mountain View, California.

"White collar crime used to be the bank [employee] sifting some money off, or some corporate guy who was going to get rich anyway.

"I do not think that [cyber-crime] has had its day. There has not been something that's large enough to generate large-scale awareness. Awareness is increasing, but we have not had that large event that makes people think: 'This is really bad.'"

Boswell-Crowe complained that, while online crimes are committed within seconds, it still takes large amounts of evidence to obtain a search warrant.

There also is no clear legislation that defines when adware is installed illegally. Unless law enforcement officers are able prove an intent to cause harm, botnet operators can get away with installing adware on computers.

Consumers, in the meantime, are carrying the burden if they become the victim of key-loggers, because they have technically given up their log-in and password information voluntarily.

Boswell-Crowe claimed, however, that the FBI is making progress in tracking down and prosecuting online criminals.

Early cases have mainly involved teenagers looking to make a quick buck, but forgetting to clean up their tracks.

Tracking down professional organised cyber-criminals takes more time, but the FBI is building cases against such organised groups.

Boswell-Crowe declined further comment because the FBI does not discuss cases before they are brought before a judge.

• A video interview with Shéna Boswell-Crowe is available on the Silicon Valley Sleuth blog.