Police cautions public about cybercrimes

COLOMBO (News 1st); Police had cautioned the general public with regard to cybercrimes, and has warned women to be esp;ecially vigilant with regard to what information they share on social media. 

The Computer Crimes Investigation Division of the Sri Lanka Police, which was established in March last year, receives nearly 2,500 complaints a year regarding cyber crimes.

Pointing out that women between the ages of 30 and 40 are the most common victims of cybercrime, Police stated that fraud is one of the main cybercrimes, in addition to distributing unauthorized pornography and fictitious accounts claiming to give gifts to their followers. 

In addition, there are also cybercrimes such as hacking and obtaining unauthorized information from databases.

The Computer Crime Investigation Division is involved in probing all such crimes, in addition to its branches being located in Kandy and Matara.

Accordingly, public can either visit the CCID offices or direct their complaint via [email protected]. Moreover, complaints with regard to unauthorized access to social media accounts or fake profiles can be reported to the email [email protected].

Cyber crimes can lead to arrest without warrant for unwanted misdemeanors up to three years in prison, and those who commit data theft, and publication of information with regard to national security face imprisonment for up to 7 years.

According to the Penal Code, false propaganda which is spread on the internet can disrupt the harmony among races and religions, and all the equipment of such persons will be confiscated by the Police, in addition to them being taken to court.

Sri Lanka Police also possess the power to act on behalf of the victim in Sri Lanka in a cybercrime committed from abroad.