Over 9,000 cybercrime complaints within two months

By Poojathmi Rivithma 

Over 9,000 incidents related to cybercrime activities have been reported between August and September this year, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) said.

SLCERT engineer Charuka Damunupola told Daily Mirror that there has been a significant increase in cybercriminal activities, noting that more than 9,000 complaints have been filed recently.

Alarmingly, 80% of these cases involve social media platforms, thus highlighting the growing vulnerabilities that users face online. As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to remain vigilant and adopt proactive measures to protect themselves from potential cyber-attacks.

Reports indicate that 20% of the cases specifically related to cybercrime, while 1,400 cases involved online frauds, Damunupola said.

He said a total of 85 cases involving cyber-bullying of children have been reported, along with 40 cases of online sexual abuse targeting minors.

Meanwhile, these statistics highlight the urgent need for protective measures and awareness initiatives to safeguard vulnerable populations in the digital landscape.