Many people fall into the trap of electronic fraud, one of the most common electronic crimes at present.
Electronic frauds use modern technology to deceive individuals or institutions and obtain confidential or financial information or poach on their bank accounts.
Many victims are trapped of extortion after sharing their personal information. So it is necessary to be fully aware of and be on guard against being cheated.
Many previous investigations have shown that cyber criminals are increasingly targeting vulnerable Omani women when they go online in search of job opportunities.
Blackmailing, with pictures, videos, conversations, and other matters, are common on social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, among others.
POLICE REPORTS
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.
Victims, therefore, are advised to approach the police station to report and provide the necessary evidence in order to trap the criminal.
The Crime Control Department of the General Department of Investigations and Criminal Investigations of the Royal Oman Police has noticed a 25 per cent rise in such cases.
Mostly the victims were attracted towards fake advertisements displayed on electronic browsing links.
According to the latest update from National Center for Statistical Information, the number of cyber crimes for 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.
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.
It is necessary to be alert against cyber crimes.
Increasing awareness means people are willing to report, and the victim can seek help from the Economic Crimes Unit by calling 24569701 or emailing Ecocrime@rop.gov.om.
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