The Justice Department reports an important rise in cybercrimes affecting Internet users in the Dominican Republic. The pandemic has apparently made people more vulnerable to extortion (with a new variety called “sextortion” aimed at men for the most part) and swindles. The online scams have targeted the elderly and women. The schemes are usually about people asking for money due or money to be paid to prevent a public scandal of some sort.
Many cases have been reported to the Office of Permanent Attention at the Attorney General’s Offices, or to the Dicat, the police unit that tracks high tech crimes. The crimes are seldom prosecuted since the victim is afraid and is embarrassed to tell the story in court.
A spokeswoman from the Justice Department urged people to be sure and check the “date created” of any webpage that is selling or offering something at a great price. She also recommends being very tight-lipped with passwords, banking information and IDs, or “cédula” numbers, that can be used to steal an identity.
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N Digital
23 May 2021