Danish people are increasingly experiencing cybercrime: Fraud and misuse of payment information are on the rise. A new study shows that a growing number of Danes are falling victim to cyber-related crime. According to the Crime Prevention Council (Det Kriminalpræventive Råd), almost 190,000 Danes were targeted by cybercrime in 2023, compared to almost 150,000 the year before. These figures are from an annual survey conducted in collaboration between the Crime Prevention Council, the Ministry of Justice, the National Police, and the University of Copenhagen.
Erik Christensen, director of the Crime Prevention Council, predicts further increases in the coming years. He points to technological advancements as a contributing factor that opens up more opportunities for criminals to commit fraud. The study highlights fraud in online shopping and misuse of payment information as the most common forms of cybercrime. Contact fraud, where scammers contact people via the internet, phone, or email, is also on the rise. In 2022, 13,000 individuals were affected by contact fraud, while the number rose to 27,000 in 2023.
Erik Christensen recommends that people take their time when receiving suspicious emails or texts, and advises consulting with family or friends if in doubt. Data shows that fraud in online shopping is the most prevalent form of cybercrime. In 2023, 85,000 Danes were deceived while shopping on fake websites or through transactions with private individuals, up from 64,000 in 2022. Misuse of payment card information affected 76,000 Danes in 2023, compared to 57,000 the previous year.
Erik Christensen emphasizes the importance of not feeling ashamed if one falls victim to fraud, as anyone can be targeted. He also points out that there is likely a significant number of unreported cases, not captured in the study. This increase in cyber-related crime serves as a reminder that we all need to be vigilant and take precautions online.