An interception method and system for performing a lawful interception in a packet network such as the GPRS or UMTS network is described. A first network element having an intercepting function for intercepting data packets is provided, said interception function being controlled by an interception control means implemented in a second network element, wherein an intercepted data packet is transmitted from the first network element via the packet network to an interception gateway element providing an interface to a intercepting authority. The intercepted data packet is transmitted via a secure tunnel provided by an encryption processing. The interception control means and the interception gateway element may both be integrated in the second network element. The interception system has a clear advantage in scalability, no single point of failure, and an adaptation to different authority interfaces can be implemented only in the interception gateway. The network elements can be similar to a high extent for all different authority requirements.