Alert Sharjah cops nail cyber blackmailers
sharjah — Cyber patrols launched recently by the Sharjah Police to detect cyber crimes have contributed towards reducing the alarming rise of cyber blackmailing, said Ibrahim Al Ajill, Director of CID Department at Sharjah Police. Col. Al Ajill said the patrols detect 18 to 22 cyber blackmailing crimes every month.
He added that 189 cyber blackmailing crimes have been recorded at Sharjah police stations and Najeed services this year, compared to 221 cases in 2015.
Addressing the forum ‘Risks of cyber blackmailing’ organised by the Sharjah police department, Al Ajill said the police dealt with 235 cases in 2012, which increased to 335 cases in 2013. “The numbers were alarming due to lack of awareness among people at that time,” he added.
Police efforts include the launch of confidential services to help victims report cases secretly, cyber patrols, and Najeed (toll free calling services 800151).” These services and awareness campaigns organised in schools, colleges and universities have played a great role in decreasing the numbers in the last two years.
Blackmailers use various methods to get the personal information of victims, Col Al Ajill said. These methods include building a relationship through social media which starts with a simple introduction and ending up with exchanging photos.
The other method is restoring data, like in the case of a mobile phone outlet exploiting the trust of customers. They steal information and start to blackmail them. The police have dealt with various types of blackmailing, including financial, sexual, ideological and emotional methods.
Most of the blackmailers are men, but there are few women, like in the instance of an Arab woman who blackmailed a man, extracting Dh700,000 from him. She continued to blackmail him until she was arrested, added Col. Al Ajill.
Blackmailers use various methods to get personal information... including building a relationship through social media, which starts with an introduction and ending up with exchanging photos
Risks of cyber blackmailing
Dr Soud Al Khalid from the CID spoke about the risks of cyber blackmailing and how it affects society’s security and stability. “The digital society is vast and has no limit or boundaries, so spreading awareness is the most efficient tool for curbing the phenomenon.” Ghaith Mattar Al Mazeina, director of emergency response to digital crises Telecommunication and Regulatory Authority (TRA) gave tips on preventing blackmailing, while Dr. Aisha Samnon, member of the National Council, stressed on the importance of collaboration of all authorities and parents to address the issue.
Hanadi Salij Al Yafei, director of the child safety campaign, spoke about spreading awareness among children and parents about all types of cybercrimes.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com