Cybercrime accounts for 20% of crimes reported in Spain

CYBERCRIME already accounts for 20% of the crimes reported in Spain according to the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

Speaking in Madrid on Wednesday, Grande-Marlaska said there were more than 375,000 cybercrimes last year, 72% more than in 2019 and a 352% increase on the 2015 total.

It announced a media awareness campaign with a first phase with a TV ad warning about the need to take security measures when browsing online.

The second phase will focus on posting expert interviews and warnings on social media platforms.

“The double effect of decreasing conventional crime and increasing cybercrime has brought us to a tipping point as we need to alert citizens to cybercrime and its consequences,” Grande-Marlaska said.

Nearly 90% of reported cybercrimes last year involved online fraud schemes, Grande-Marlaska said.

“This has had a notable and negative impact on national interests, institutions, companies and people,” he added.

He also promised additional staff, funding and resources for police to fight cybercrime.

“We want people to have more confidence that the police are at the forefront of the fight against cybercrime and report any illegal actions, but also make sure that they do everything they can to protect themselves,” Grande-Marlaska said.