By: Times News Service
Muscat: There has been a 25 per cent increase in cases of electronic fraud reported by the Royal Oman Police in 2020.
A number of these fraudulent cases occur through unsuspecting victims being duped by social media sites, or through ads featuring fake companies that promise high financial returns in a short time, said Lieutenant Colonel Jamal Al Quraishi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations.
Those under the age of 18 are most vulnerable to financial blackmail,” he said. “Many have fallen victim to posts or ads promoting fake trading practices because they feature celebrities. To protect them and many others, there must be increased awareness of cybercrime.”