Kathmandu, Mar 9: In a concerning trend, Kathmandu has witnessed a staggering surge in cybercrime over the past five years, with incidents soaring six times higher than before.

According to data released by the Nepal Police Headquarters Cyber Bureau, the escalation is stark. In the financial year 2076/77, the bureau received 2,301 cybercrime-related complaints. However, by February 23 of the current year, this number had skyrocketed to 12,789 applications, illustrating the alarming rise in digital offenses.

Diving deeper into the statistics, it’s revealed that the victims hail from various demographics. Out of the total complaints, 164 were filed by boys, 242 by girls, 5,703 by women, 6,177 by men, and 503 from other individuals.

Superintendent and Spokesperson of the Cyber Bureau, Deepak Raj Awasthi, shed light on the evolving nature of cybercrimes. He highlighted that while various forms of digital offenses persist, the bureau has observed a recent surge in complaints related to financial fraud.

The spectrum of cybercrime encompasses a multitude of nefarious activities, including online fraud, the dissemination of obscene material on social media platforms, identity theft, website hacking, and extortion. One particularly distressing trend involves individuals having their faces superimposed onto explicit images, which are then circulated online to humiliate and cause distress.

Moreover, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting government and organizational websites, seeking to compromise sensitive information and wreak havoc online.

The surge in cybercrime underscores the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and public awareness campaigns. Authorities urge citizens to remain vigilant, adopt robust online security practices, and report any suspicious activities promptly.

As Kathmandu grapples with this digital epidemic, concerted efforts are essential to combat cybercrime effectively and safeguard the digital integrity of the community.