THE NUMBER OF CYBERCRIME CASES HAS RISEN BY A RECORD 37 PER CENT YEAR-ON-YEAR

The number of cybercrime cases rose by 37 per cent year-on-year in March. Investigators recorded a record 2,533 cases in March, Ondřej Moravčík, a spokesperson for the Czech Police Headquarters, told ČTK today. For internet users, the greatest risk comes from fraudulent bankers or police officers. Since the start of the year, they have caused losses amounting to 322 million crowns. Women are the most frequent victims. The average age of victims is 46. Perpetrators most often carry out attacks via mobile phones, the police stated on the X network.

“We have a sad record here. This March is the worst month in history in terms of cybercrime," the police headquarters reported. "At this rate, we will reach last year’s figures by mid-October," police officers added on the X network.

Since the start of the year, criminal investigators have recorded 6,322 cases of cybercrime. In the first three months of 2025, fraudsters committed 4,766 criminal offences online. Last year, there were 21,137 cases of cybercrime online.

According to a spokesperson, the majority of cases involve various types of fraud, with around 3,500 committed since the start of the year. Of these, fake bankers and police officers committed 728 frauds. The highest loss in a single case amounted to 24 million crowns. The average loss per victim is 721,546 CZK.

According to criminal investigators, the most risky tool is the mobile phone. “Please do not disclose your card details to anyone, do not send any money to police officers or bankers over the phone, and hang up immediately on any suspicious calls,” they warned today on the X network.

According to the police, cybercrime is criminal activity committed in the field of information and communication technologies, including computer networks. It includes, among other things, hacking, which is unauthorised access to a computer system; various types of fraud targeting individuals, companies and their employees; fraudulent online shops; copyright infringement; sexual offences, including procuring and human trafficking; and blackmail and stalking.

Source: ceskenoviny.cz