SHARJAH // Almost 200 cases of online blackmail were registered with Sharjah Police this year through its hotline.
Col Ibrahim Al Ajil, director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Sharjah, speaking on Wednesday on the sidelines of a seminar about online blackmail and ways to prevent it, said: “Our online patrol departments monitors an average of 18 to 22 cases per month. Those cases are followed up on and, if there was criminal activity, we proceed with a criminal investigation.”
He said most incidents of online blackmail i were carried out by men.
“There was only one case where an Arab woman blackmailed a man. She was arrested after CID officers were able to track her down,” Col Al Ajil said.
Federal National Council member Aisha bin Samnoh said parents should be aware of the technology being used by their children.
“They need to learn it to be able to advise and monitor their children about its benefits and dangers,” she said.
Sharjah Police launched the Najeed hotline service so residents can report cases that threaten the safety and security of their neighbourhoods. Since 2012, the hotline has registered 1,280 reports of blackmail.
The 189 cases so far this year suggest that by the end of December the total will not be far off the 221 cases reported last year.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
