Many people fall into the trap of electronic fraud, one of the most common electronic crimes nowadays. Electronic frauds use modern technology to deceive individuals or institutions and obtain confidential or financial information or control their bank accounts.
Many victims fell into the trap of extortion after sharing their personal information. So it is necessary to be aware and careful against everything that may cause a reason for being cheated.
Many previous investigations have shown that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting vulnerable Omani women when they go online in search of job opportunities.
Blackmailing, whether with pictures, videos, conversations, and other things, also happen on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and others.
With the increase in the number of police reports, many restrictions were imposed to help avoid being the victims of these crimes and punish the criminals according to the Penal Code of the Crimes of Extortion and Electronic Threat in the Sultanate of Oman.
Victims, therefore, are advised to go to the police station to report and give the necessary evidence to look for the criminal.
The Crime Control Department of the Royal Oman Police has noticed a 25-per cent rise in such cases.
Mostly the victims were attracted to fake advertisements displayed on electronic browsing links.
According to the latest update of the National Centre for Statistics and Information, the number of cybercrimes for the year 2021 was about 12,812, which decreased by 14 per cent during the period from 2017 to 2021, while the number of perpetrators reached about 18,357 and decreased by 12 per cent during the same period.
The Governorate of Muscat has the maximum number of electronic crimes, with a rate of 37.3 per cent, while the percentage of perpetrators recorded is 34.4 per cent.
It is necessary to be alert against cybercrimes. Increasing awareness means people are willing to report, and the affected person reports the incident and seeks help from the Economic Crimes Unit by calling 24569701 or emailing Ecocrime@rop.gov.om.
Individuals in their teens are the most vulnerable to getting involved and affected by such crimes, which can be checked through continuous follow-up by parents and awareness.
@Afrahalbalushia
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
