New research on Trends and Characteristics of Cybercrime in NSW, by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), indicates a staggering 42% increase in cybercrime in NSW in the three years to June 2022.

Using data from the Australian Cyber Security Centre's online reporting system - the ReportCyber Application Platform - the study focused on five cybercrime categories: cyber-enabled fraud, identity theft, cyber-enabled abuse, online image abuse, and device offences.

While the results show that cybercrime in NSW is on the same increasing trend as it is nationally, the data only provides a partial view of reported cybercrime. This is because cyber offences can be reported through various national reporting systems or directly to state police.

Executive Director of BOCSAR, Jackie Fitzgerald, says that to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and nature of cybercrime we need to integrate disparate reporting systems. "Cyber-offending is arguably our most significant emerging crime problem. However, our understanding of this offence is seriously hampered, firstly, by people not coming forward, and, secondly, when they do, by the multiple, competing channels available to people to report the offence".

Key Findings:

1. In the three years to June 2022 there were 39,494 reports of cybercrime in NSW alone, with over $404 million reportedly lost.
2. Cybercrime reports increased by 42% over the three years, with all cyber offence categories increasing except cyber abuse.
3. Cyber-fraud increased by 95% and identity crime increased by 35% - these were the most common cyber offences, accounting for 79% of all reports.
4. Device offences (malware and ransomware) had the largest increase, with reports increasing by 117%.
5. 89% of victims were individuals, 53% were male, and 87% were over 25 years of age.

Contact: Jackie Fitzgerald - Executive Director, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research
Phone: +61 423 139 687
Email: jackie.fitzgerald@justice.nsw.gov.au
Copies of the report: www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au