---
title: "Cyber Crimes Intensify In The Holy Month Of Ramadan: Know The Whys and Hows!  | Phish Protection"
description: "Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time frame when the Muslim community practices fasting, works towards spiritual development."
image: "https://phishprotection.com/og/blog/cyber-crimes-intensify-holy-month-ramadan-know-whys-and-hows.png"
canonical: "https://phishprotection.com/blog/cyber-crimes-intensify-holy-month-ramadan-know-whys-and-hows/"
---

Quick Answer

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time frame when the \*\*Muslim community\*\* practices fasting, works towards spiritual development, and organizes communal gatherings. However, Ramadan brings along an uncanny \[threat of increased cyber crimes\](https://www.oodaloop.com/briefs/2024/04/02/cybersecurity-threats-intensify-in-the-middle-east-during-ramadan/).

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Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time frame when the **Muslim community** practices fasting, works towards spiritual development, and organizes communal gatherings. However, Ramadan brings along an uncanny [threat of increased cyber crimes](https://www.oodaloop.com/briefs/2024/04/02/cybersecurity-threats-intensify-in-the-middle-east-during-ramadan/). 

_With limited work hours and **increased e-commerce activities** around this period, Middle East-based companies have become direct targets for phishing actors._ This happens because of a sudden spike in online and retail activities . The threat actors leverage this surge in e-commerce activities for monetary gains in the form of [cyber scams](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68705913) and [fraudulent activities](/phishing/increased-phishing-attacks-during-pandemic-how-to-stay-safe-and-relevant-post-covid-era).

This year, Ramadan began on 10 March 2024 . [Cyber attacks](https://news.sky.com/story/china-responsible-for-two-cyber-attack-campaigns-in-uk-says-dowden-13101680) during Ramadan have created a ruckus worth[$100 million](https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/cyber-threats-intensify-in-middle-east-during-ramadan)so far. These scams involve phishing, wire fraud, [e-commerce scams](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/583-victims-lose-223000-in-e-commerce-scams-involving-concert-tickets-since-start-of-2024), and fake campaigns against residents, expatriates, and **international visitors**. 

Some of the worst-hit companies are Zajil Express, Aramex, and SMSA Express. Most of the victims had been contacted through [WhatsApp](/phishing-awareness/scam-alert-decoding-the-rise-of-whatsapp-phishing-scams), \*\*SMS, or iMessage.\*\*The common thing behind all these cyber crimes is the sense of urgency that compelled the victims to make [immediate payments in order to get their parcels delivered](https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/beware-of-the-fake-fedex-courier-call-its-the-latest-cyber-scam-2659983). 

### A Steep Rise In Cyber Crime Activities 

In the first quarter of 2023,[a sharp spike of 22%](https://asmideast.com/uae-cyberattacks-surge-during-ramadan/)was witnessed compared to the previous quarter. This simultaneously resulted in a surge in [cybersecurity](/content/cybersecurity-in-a-nutshell) solution requirements. The **worst hit sectors** during this sacred month are:

Classifieds

- [Digital Education](https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/blog/what-is-digital-education/)

Payment Systems

Banks

Game Servers

Cyber security experts believe that threat actors are likely to persist with their [malicious activities](https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-summons-chinese-diplomat-over-malicious-cyber-activity-704499) throughout the month of Ramadan.

![Phishing attack prevention](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/04/phishing-attack-prevention-5479.jpg) 

### On-Going Cyber Security Prep Ups!

Cyber security experts have been **maintaining vigilance** well ahead of Ramadan. While some companies enhance their outsourced cyber security contracts, others **ensure a diverse workforce**, with non-Islamic employees filling in for the shortage of Islamic employees. The UAE Cyber Security Council also issues special advisories around this time. On 4th March 2024, they came up with “[The National Campaign for Cybersecurity.](https://wam.ae/en/article/b1z3i3d-uae-cyber-security-council-launches-national)” The ultimate goal was to **spread awareness** against cyber attacks. 

Experts emphasize the importance of amping up [organizational infrastructure](https://www.changethecompany.com/2021/06/21/what-is-organizational-infrastructure/) to prevent phishing actors from **bypassing security systems**. They urge the companies to heighten apt security measures to prevent [malicious emails](https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/100414-research-shows-that-15-of-emails-were-malicious-in-2023) from breaking into the banks of naive users. 

[Cross-training among cyber security team](https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/cross-training-empowers-cyber-experts) members can also be a great tactic to avert cyber crimes. Also, clarity works like magic here! Crystal clear protocols and streamlined processes can further add a layer of security to the **Middle East-based companies**. 

_Security consultants believe that more and more employees should come up and complaint against the slightest instances of security abnormalities._ They have urged the organizations to [create a work culture](https://cxotoday.com/specials/5-ways-to-build-a-cybersecurity-ready-work-culture/) where coordinating with cyber security experts is portrayed as a **mandatory** and effortless activity.

![Spear phishing protection](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/04/spear-phishing-protection-4365.jpg) 

Collaboration with concerned authorities and integration of required [phishing protection](/) measures can significantly avert instances of cybercrime **not only during Ramadan** but throughout the year as well. Vigilance, [phishing awareness training](/products/phishing-awareness-training) sessions, and apt cyber security strategies can work wonders against the malicious intentions of [threat actors](/phishing-awareness/threat-actors-breach-reddit-and-access-internal-documents-code-and-business-systems).

## Topics

[ Phishing Awareness ](/tags/phishing-awareness/) 

![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/authors/brad-slavin.jpg) 

[ Brad Slavin ](/authors/brad-slavin/) 

General Manager

Founder and General Manager of DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across DuoCircle's 2,000+ customer base.

[LinkedIn Profile →](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin) 

## Protect your inbox from phishing attacks

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