MOCA Widens Public Cybercrime Education Push Across Jamaica

The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) is broadening its outreach to help Jamaicans recognise and guard against online criminal activity. Officials say the expanded campaign is meant to give members of the public practical tools for spotting and responding to fast-changing digital dangers.

Dr Patrick Linton, who heads MOCA's Cyber Investigation and Risk Management division, outlined the plans last week while speaking at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.

Addressing delegates, Dr Linton noted that wider adoption of digital platforms has coincided with growth in offences such as phishing, business email compromise and cyberbullying. He said Jamaica has achieved notable gains in curbing conventional crimes, but malicious activity online remains a moving target that demands sustained public attention.

According to Dr Linton, MOCA will scale up awareness drives and deepen cybercrime teaching in schools, universities and community-based organisations. He said the agency has already teamed up with educators, residents and police partners to spread information on online hazards and build national cyber resilience. Those joint efforts, he argued, have helped cut the number of cyberattacks that succeed, as citizens and entities grow more familiar with protective steps.

Dr Linton cautioned that rising use of artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to open fresh avenues for offenders seeking more advanced methods to strike people and institutions.

Dr Linton declared, "We're going to be seeing a proliferation of cyberattacks that are now associated with AI-perpetrated type cyberattacks, so we require persons to understand what's happening," saying greater public understanding of the evolving cyber landscape will be critical to reducing cybercrime and protecting citizens online.

"Our duty at MOCA is to work closely with communities to help reduce cyberattacks and prosecute them where crimes are committed under the applicable laws," he said in conclusion.