THE surge of social media-based cybercrimes has been multiplied in the years with the growing number of social media users and the extension of its users from urban centres to periphery. Several forms of cybercrimes, including extortion, cyber bullying, financial fraudulent, fake e- and f-commerce – all are outnumbering traditional criminal offences. Almost all social media users are unaware of cybercrimes and how to stay protected in the face of cyber-attacks, fraud and cyber bullying.
Although the government has formed a cyber-security unit in the police department against the number of crimes, their capacity is very poor. There is no visible awareness campaign and training how to stay safe in the cyber world.
A recent incident revealed that criminals pretending a girl persuade a government official to perform sexual acts in front of their webcam. These webcam videos were recorded by the criminals who then threaten to share the images with the victims’ friends and family. This can make the victims feel extremely ashamed and embarrassed. Evidence showed that organised crime groups – mostly overseas based – are behind this crime. For them it’s a low risk way to make money and they can reach many victims easily online. The police arrested nearly 100 foreigners in recent months on charges of online cheating. Victims are often worried about reporting these offences to the police because they are embarrassed. Police said they are receiving around 150 cybercrime-related complaints daily at its victim support centre.
A 2019 study by the Cybercrime Awareness Foundation showed that most of the online-based crime victims were female and over 80 per cent of the victims were aged between 18 and 30 years. Due to the boost of e-commerce, incidents of Facebook-based financial fraudulence and e-commerce cheating have been flooded.
However, police have recently launched the ‘Police Cyber Support for Women’ wing, staffed only by female members of the police, to help women who are increasingly becoming victims of cybercrimes and cyber bullying. Within 10 days of its inception on November 16, the unit received 2,912 complaints. The lack of digital literacy and of vigilance from the authorities on the use of Facebook had worsened the situation.
