About 63% of victims are women – SSP Darshika Ranasinghe

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Computer Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had received 5,243 complaints in 2023, Deputy Director of CID’s Computer Crimes Investigation Division, SSP Darshika Ranasinghe said.

She added that her division had received over 1,500 complaints by the third week of March 2024, and the use of digital devices had increased, and along with that, the number of cyber-crimes too had gone up.

“Almost everyone has a smartphone, and given that smartphones have become essential for academic activities, most children also have access to them. A lot of children have access to the Internet, and many people have more than one SIM. This is a trend we have observed after COVID, and as the number of devices increased, the number of complaints we received also went up,” SSP Ranasinghe said.

She said 63 percent of the victims were women. Among the main complaints are threats to publish nude photos on the Internet, cyber threats and unauthorised access to social media accounts or devices, she said.

“A lot of Facebook and WhatsApp accounts are hacked. This usually happens when you click a link sent to you. Be very careful when someone sends you links,” SSP Ranasinghe said.She added that each day, they request Facebook to deactivate around 200 fake accounts.

Sri Lankans also have a habit of sharing One Time Passwords (OTPs) with other people, SSP Ranasinghe said. This has allowed unscrupulous elements to steal valuable passwords, embezzle money and engage in identity theft, she said.

“The OTP is only for you. Do not share this with anyone, not even people you trust the most,” she said.

Computer Crimes Investigation Division, ASP Chandima Arumaperuma said there are many instances where a former lover releases compromising photos of women to the internet. She urged victims to reach out to the nearest police station and the Computer Crimes Investigation Division will take steps to take down these photos from the internet.

“We are also in touch with major internet companies. There is no need to fear. In many instances, a perpetrator threatens a woman before he releases photos to the internet. They might demand sexual favours or money. Victims must immediatelycomplain to the police, and the police usually reach out to us. When the police are involved, most of these perpetrators immediately break down,” she said.

ASP Arumaperuma said they have established four subunits in four provinces ( Matara, Kandy, Maha Oya and Wariyapola) and similar units will be established in all provinces.