It's been a month and a half since The ARA told the story of a man from Osona He faces a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a scam in which he claims to be the victim: during a car sale, he sent a photo of his ID to the buyer, who disappeared shortly afterward. A few months later, he discovered he was being investigated for a scam in A Coruña that had been committed using his ID. The case is ongoing. Cases like these, which demonstrate the risks of giving your identity document to certain people, are becoming increasingly common in the courts. Just this Monday, a man from Ibiza testified at the Barcelona City of Justice for almost identical events.

In March 2023, the RansomHouse cybercriminal group attacked the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona through ransomware (ransomware) which paralyzed part of the healthcare activity, especially vital emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks, which had to be referred to other centers. It was a highly publicized cyberattack that lasted for days, but there have been many more in recent years. The Moisès Broggi, Dos de Mayo, and General de Hospitalet de Llobregat hospitals, or the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), among others, are just a few examples.

Currently, in Catalonia there are about 27,000 professionals dedicated to in the world of cybersecurityThis is a growing sector, which last year generated revenues of up to €1.473 billion, almost 20% more than in 2023. The Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, however, warns of a talent gap that is hindering this growth: there are 13,500 qualified jobs. There are almost 400,000 across Spain and 4.76 million worldwide. In one year, this gap has increased by 12% in Catalonia.

"In 2025, cyber scams will increase," Laura Caballero, director of the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, categorically predicts. Last year's massive corporate data leaks and the use of artificial intelligence lead the Catalan government agency to predict an upward trend in digital scams. It is in this context that the Agency has launched a two-pronged initiative: a cybersecurity alert channel via WhatsApp and an online mailbox where citizens who detect cyber scams can report them.