MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. Over a million Russians have been affected directly by cyber criminals, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media Ivan Lebedev said while addressing the State Duma.
"In total, more than a million citizens in Russia have fallen victim to such fraudulent organizations and individuals. The total damage, according to various estimates, amounts to 200-250 billion rubles ($2.5-3 billion). Try and wrap your head around these figures," he said.
The deputy minister noted that 35% of crimes committed in Russia today are related to the information and communications technology sector, with their number increasing by 30% annually since 2022. Over 700,000 individual cybercrimes have been reported, with more than 70% falling under the categories of fraud or theft, he added.
Lebedev acknowledged that less than 30% of the total cybercrime cases are resolved. He explained that while an offense may be detected, a criminal case may be opened, and measures may be taken, it is often impossible to come to a resolution of the case because the perpetrators are abroad.