The Hong Kong Police Force’s Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) has recently introduced a new metaverse platform called “CyberDefender” to raise awareness about technology-related crimes.
The platform consists of three distinct venues: CyberDefender City, the Web3-themed Gallery, and the Auditorium.
The unveiling of the CyberDefender platform took place during the inaugural event “Exploring the Metaverse,” which marked the debut of this virtual space. The session shed light on various threats and opportunities associated with Web3 and the metaverse, including investment fraud, unauthorized system access, and theft.
The decision to create this platform stems from a concerning rise in virtual asset-related cases in Hong Kong. In 2022 alone, the city reported 2,336 such cases, resulting in a staggering loss of $1.7 billion. In the first quarter of this year, the police received 663 similar cases, leading to a total loss of $570 million. Notably, a significant portion of these cases were related to virtual asset investments.
The surge in virtual asset crimes can be attributed to a lack of public awareness and knowledge regarding virtual assets. To address this issue, the Hong Kong Police Force will continue organizing educational initiatives on the “CyberDefender Metaverse” platform, covering various topics of importance.
Interestingly, this is not the first instance of law enforcement agencies venturing into the metaverse to raise awareness. In October 2022, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) introduced its own metaverse experience, specifically tailored for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Furthermore, the Dubai Police Force has also made strides in leveraging blockchain technology within the metaverse. In October 2022, they started issuing lost passport certificates within 24 hours using blockchain technology. Additionally, in April, they released 150 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) centered around innovation, security, and communication, followed by the announcement of their second NFT collection in July.