740M Drams Recovered as Armenia Steps Up Cybercrime Fight

About 740 million drams in damages caused to the state have been recovered, 3 large-scale criminal groups have been uncovered, and 62 channels involved in the illicit sale of drugs have been identified. The Minister of Internal Affairs met with the staff of the Cybercrime Combatting Department of the CDGD (VIDEO).

On September 12, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan met with the staff of the Cybercrime Combatting Department of the CDGD. The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the police were present.

Based on operational information received by the department, 3 criminal groups have been uncovered, which were committing computer thefts through fake investment platforms; 18 people have been charged by the investigative body. In addition, about 740 million drams in damages caused to the state have already been recovered.

The identity of 49 people managing 62 channels involved in the illicit sale of drugs through Telegram has been revealed.The Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized the expansion of the unit's cooperation with both international partners, as well as with other law enforcement agencies and other police services.

The importance of working with international cryptocurrency companies was highlighted in the fight against both cybercrime and corruption. The need for close work with mobile operators was particularly emphasized, with an instruction to put the partnership on an institutional basis.

Arpine Sargsyan also referred to the creation of a Cyberlaboratory, in which direction work is currently being carried out with international partners.

For the purpose of crime prevention, the Minister instructed to intensify the awareness-raising work aimed at increasing the legal awareness of citizens, as well as to create a Telegram platform, through which the mechanisms of criminal activity and the rules of conduct to avoid them will be presented to the citizens.