Cybercrimes rise by 63 percent

Police state cybercrimes in Maldives have risen by 63 percent during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to RaajjeTV regarding cybercrime and blackmail on Friday night, Economic Crime Department’s Sub-inspector Aminath Mohamed said Maldives experienced a sharp rise in cybercrime during the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Aminath said that statistics show a 58 percent rise in cybercrimes during the lockdown in 2020, compared to 2019, and a 63 percent rise in cybercrimes by the end of June this year.

Aminath said that most cybercrime cases took place in free wifi zones – which are easier to hack.

She said that most of the victims of cybercrime are people 18-35 years of age.

“When comparing between the two genders, reports filed by males are lower than females. Most of the victims are female, and the number of male victims who report such crimes is low,” she said.

Police have urged practicing safe internet usage to avoid falling victim to cybercrimes.

Police previously stated that cases involving fraud also saw a sharp rise during the pandemic. Police said people have been defrauded of over MVR 7.4 million from beginning of 2020 to June 16 this year.