Campaign launched against cyber fraud in Oman

Muscat: A national awareness campaign to combat online fraud has been launched, in which a number of government and private entities will participate.
Read also: Ten arrested on charges of phone fraud in Oman
Entitled, “Don’t be Deceived,” the campaign kicked off with a press conference, with panellists from the Royal Oman Police (ROP), Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Omantel, Public Prosecution and other stakeholders, at the TRA headquarters yesterday.
According to an official at TRA, “The campaign aims to curtail the phenomenon of online fraud that has been taking on numerous patterns with the rapid development in technology and telecommunications means. Scammers try to lure victims with false promises of large cash prizes and try to drag them into claiming fake cash prizes after submission of their personal information.
“Some people also fall victims for phishing when they are tempted to send money to benefit from promotional offers.”
The campaign followed news, announced on Tuesday evening, that the ROP had arrested 10 people on charges of phone fraud.
The Department of Criminal Investigation, in cooperation with the South Batinah Police, arrested the suspects, including an individual, who allegedly made a phone call to a radio programme for the purpose of fraud.
The defendants had allegedly told their victims that they had won thousands of rials, and then would ask their victims for their bank cards card numbers. The perpetrators would then use the information to withdraw money from the victims’ accounts.
ROP was able to locate the suspects in Wilayat of Barka, and was able to arrest the accused individuals in coordination with the prosecution.
Police officers seized a number of phone devices used in the process of fraud. The source said the Barka police station is continuing to investigate the case.
According to Omantel, there are 50 to 100 complaints per week related to online fraud.