SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has welcomed a PSNI campaign targeting cyber crime and has called for a crackdown from authorities on cyber scammers who fleece people for huge sums of money every year.
Mr Durkan will host a seminar in conjunction with the Consumer Council on tackling cyber crime and cyber scammers later this month.
He said: “Cyber scammers are a scourge that any one of us can fall victim to.
“We often hear it said those responsible for this callous criminality target vulnerable people, and they certainly do, but anyone can unsuspectingly fall prey, especially as we approach the holiday season.
“Almost one in five consumers here have been the victim of a scam in the last three years.
“That’s an astounding number and points to how complex these deceptions can be.
“As criminals become more sophisticated, particularly with digital technology, it’s imperative that we respond robustly.
“I have been frustrated that in response to a number of questions I’ve submitted on this matter, the Justice Minister has deployed the same copy/paste answer which falls far short of providing critical information about the scale of these crimes.
“The Minister must up her game and come forward with a robust digital crime strategy that deals with these issues.
“On 25th November I will be hosting a seminar on cyber crime with the Consumer Council exploring how we can better tackle those behind these scams and work to support their victims,” added the Foyle MLA.