Number of thefts in cyberspace is growing - MIA

YEREVAN, October 22. /ARKA/. The number of financial thefts in the cyberspace of Armenia is noticeably growing every day. This was stated by head of the department for combating cybercrimes of the main criminal police department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Hayk Mkrtchyan. 

"Our citizens are increasingly becoming "victims" of such crimes. For example, if in recent years there were approximately 300 such cases, then in 2020 and 2021 their number  rose to 800. Currently, every year, in particular, in 2022 and 2023, this number has already reached 1,000 cases. This figure continues to grow," Mkrtchyan said at a press conference on Tuesday. 

According to him, the introduction of innovative technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, has allowed criminals to target citizens even more and steal money from them. 

Mkrtchyan noted that 1,198 cases of financial theft were registered in 2023. In most cases, citizens, suffering financial losses, do not contact law enforcement agencies. 

"Over the past two years, investment fraud has been a major part of various financial markets. That is, through advertising, citizens are encouraged to make investments on various platforms, promising them large monetary profits. Citizens fall for these tricks and become victims of crime," Mkrtchyan said. -0-