Dubai: Dubai Police have launched a new online platform to receive public complaints regarding electronic crimes like hacking to improve response times.

Launching the e-crime reporting platform on Tuesday, Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, urged the public to use it for quicker turnaround times.

Victim can lodge a complaint on www.ecrime.ae regarding electronic crimes ranging from online blackmail, hacking and illegal money transfers to crimes committed against credit card-holders.

“It is an easy way for the public to lodge complaints regarding e-crimes. Dubai Police are keen to provide innovative solutions and easy and smart services. Our goal is to enhance security and safety in the city,” Maj-Gen Al Merri said.

Colonel Saeed Al Hajiri, director of the Cyber Crimes Department, said the platform can be accessed from computers or smart devices.

“The victim clicks on the site, registers himself by entering the details like the Emirates ID number and the phone number and then writes the details of the incident. The platform has been launched to encourage people to come forward and lodge their complaints in a confidential and secure way if they are victims of e-crimes,” Col Al Hajiri said.

He said the new platform will reduce the margin of error and help achieve the Dubai Police’s goal of making the city safer in a transparent way.

Often, e-crime victims do not report the crimes committed against them because they are embarrassed or do not want their personal information going public.

The lack of reporting means that police records of e-crimes do not always accurately reflect the prevalence rate of such crimes.

With the new platform, however, Dubai Police believe they will be able to better assess the accurate rate of e-crimes and then be in a better position to fight them.

Another benefit is the ease of use to complain online will save time for both victims and officers.

“The service is open to individuals, private companies, local government entities and federal entities,” Col Al Hajiri said.

How to use the platform

  1. Click on www.ecrime.ae
  2. Answer the question: Is the report submitted related to the internet or cyberspace? (Email, social media, internet calls, cybercrime, hacking, blackmail)
  3. Choose the complaint type: Personal, private entity, local government entity or federal entity
  4. Submit your Emirates ID electronically
  5. Submit your address, mobile number and email address
  6. The platform will text you a verification code to your mobile phone which you then enter on the platform
  7. Enter the complaint details and submit

Source: www.ecrime.ae