Diario La R reports that, hand in hand with technological advances, in Uruguay “the risks of receiving an email that pretends to be sent by the bank, the scam through Whatsapp, the call from a supposed relative who needs money to be transferred, the hacking of accounts in social networks” are increasing.

The publication quotes security expert Jorge Gómez, who stated that cyber crimes could be surpassing those of drug trafficking, which requires strong policies to face such challenges.

Last August, the Senate approved the creation of eight new criminal offenses to combat cybercrime.

Some of the offenses are fraud and cyberstalking, which became crimes punishable by prison sentences.

Fraud or computer fraud was also added and will be aggravated if it is committed against a family member or against the State.

The law explains that computer damage, illicit access to computer data, illicit interception and data violation will be considered as crimes. Also identity theft, with a penalty of between one year and six years imprisonment.

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