The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced recently that the number of cybercrime cases nationwide fell down by almost 25% during the month of January 2024 in comparison to January 2023 specifically, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Cybercrime cases in the country dropped by 24.72 percent in January, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.
In a statement, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said 1,458 cases were logged last month from 1,937 cases in the same month in 2023.
He said the downturn shows significant progress in the ongoing battle against cyber threats and the continuous implementation of cybercrime preventive measures.
These measures include sustaining strong partnerships and collaboration with public and private stakeholders, providing cyber safety tips, engaging in media interviews, hosting informative broadcasts, distributing educational materials, and conducting lectures and seminars which greatly contributed to the overall reduction in cybercrime incidents, Hernia added.
“The PNP ACG urges the community to fearlessly report any instances of cybercrime or file complaints against these perpetrators. By doing so, we can effectively apprehend these offenders and put an end to their illicit activities, thereby preventing others from becoming victims of cybercrime,” Hernia said.
Meanwhile, the PNP-ACG warned parents anew to monitor the social media accounts of their children to protect them against sex predators.
On Monday, ACG operatives arrested a 45-year-old man for blackmailing a female minor using her nude photos. Both the suspect and the victim’s identities were withheld.
“Our team engaged in the suspect in the conversation which led to the entrapment in Paco, Manila,” Guillermo said.
The nude photos, PNP-ACG Cyber Response Unit chief Col. Jay Guillermo said, were used by the suspect in attempting to force the minor to a meet-up.
It all started when the victim accepted the suspect’s friend request, after he helped her pay for the burial expenses of her brother-in-law.
Guillermo said the suspect started to chat with the victim and lured her into sending nude photos in exchange for a brand-new cellular phone and money.
The victim told her elder sister about the incident, who sought the assistance of the PNP-ACG when the suspect started blackmailing her.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Does this latest development make you feel safer to be online? Do you know anyone in your household who got victimized by some cyber-criminal? Do you think the PNP has what it takes to fight cybercrime that is enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI)?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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