Cybercrime in Belgium 2008-2022

In 2022, the Belgian Federal Police reported over 58,400 cases of cyber-criminality. Cyber-crime is a term which refers to crimes committed via a computer system or an online network. This relatively new form of criminality is therefore different than traditional crime. Such crimes happen in a virtual territory, the cyberspace. The democratization of software access, as well as the globalization of access to networks, have both been factors of its development. 

What offenses are considered as cyber-crimes?

Compared to the overall number of crimes in Belgium, cyber-crimes were not predominant. However, cases can be referred to as cyber-crimes without being registered as such. Cyber-criminality, in its narrow sense, covers computerized forgery and fraud, hacking, and sabotage. Yet, in a broader view, other crimes can be cyber-crimes if virtually perpetrated. For instance, harassment, voyeurism, child pornography, or incitement to terrorism, can be cyber-crimes.

Cyber-warfare in the world.

Cyber criminality is not confined to Belgium. In 2017, the neighboring Netherlands reported that 8 out of 100 of its citizens were cyber-victims. Nowadays, the global network has become a major military confrontation platform. For instance, the use of technology to attack nations has been officially reported in Estonia, Georgia, and Iran. Such conflict is known as cyber-warfare. The usage of the Internet allows sensitive networks to be attacked around the world. Government sites, institutions, companies, private organizations, and even individuals can be targeted.