Sharjah Police are stepping up their efforts to curb cybercrime, highlighting a surge in online blackmail cases particularly involving children and urging the public to remain vigilant.
In response to a notable increase in cyber blackmail incidents, often occurring through popular social media apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp, authorities have underscored the importance of not sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) with unknown sources. This advice is part of the broader ‘Be Aware: Stop, Think, Protect’ campaign launched by Sharjah Police to heighten public understanding and awareness of cybercrime and cybersecurity. The initiative was inaugurated at the City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah by Brigadier General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, on Thursday.
Focused Attention on Vulnerable Groups
To combat the distinct vulnerabilities faced by women and children, Sharjah Police have assigned specialist policewomen to manage cases relating to leaked personal media confidentially. This strategy has facilitated the successful resolution of many cases without needing to involve the Public Prosecution. The expertise of the police force has allowed for a swift response, often recovering victims’ accounts in less than 24 hours.
Rising Incidents Involving Minors
The authorities highlighted a distressing incident involving a 17-year-old girl blackmailed for Dh15,000 after sharing inappropriate videos with a 23-year-old man. The rapid intervention of the police not only facilitated the man’s arrest but also seized his device, which contained considerable incriminating material used for blackmail.
In another alarming incident, a six-year-old boy encountered a criminal while playing “Overwatch.” The minor was manipulated into sharing personal photos, which the criminal later used to try and obtain bank details from the boy’s parents. Thankfully, the matter was promptly reported to the police, averting further distress and potential financial loss.
Education Through Engagement
As cybercriminals continuously evolve their tactics, deceiving users to share personal data, the awareness campaign plays a pivotal role in educating the public on the multifaceted nature of cybercrimes.
Targeting a wide demographic, from young children to individuals over 60, the campaign has successfully reached around 1,180,000 individuals via social media, engaging roughly 4,000 visitors during its initial launch at the Al Zahia City Centre platform in 2022.