Criminals now use fake websites to promote drugs, explosives: Expert

One fake website that was found to be linked to a famous shop being run by a 10-member international gang.- Alamy Image

Cybercriminals are using bogus websites to promote drugs, weapons and explosives that can be used in terror activities, an expert has warned.
Colin Craig from the Organised Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch at UN Office on Drugs and Crime was speaking at the national conference on addressing crime and violent extremism a collective responsibility in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
He cited one fake website that was found to be linked to a famous shop being run by a 10-member international gang.
"The fake online black market facilitated the sale of weapons, explosives, drugs and banned digital materials," said Craig.
"When the gang leader was arrested, he appointed a public relations officer, who was responsible for promoting the products and expanding the customer base."
He also highlighted modern technological means used by international bodies and governments to track and shut down fake, dangerous online platforms used by criminals.
The conference has recommended curbing extremist and terrorist ideologies by strengthening community partnerships at the local and international level, and the formation of a series of specialised activities aimed at curbing the epidemic.
Experts agreed to design rehabilitation programmes for inmates convicted of violent extremism during their jail sentences so they can be reformed before being integrated back into the community.
The UAE's efforts to counter extremism, particularly its strategy to monitor crime indicators, were commended by participants at the summit.
The conference highlighted the importance of taking into account emerging trends and patterns of crime and violent extremism that lead to terrorism. It called for the adoption of an integrated international strategy, under the slogan 'Prevention is better than cure', through development of programmes to combat crime and violent extremism, based on indicators of assessment and monitoring.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com