Guyana is moving towards a more digitally connected economy, but figures disclosed by Police Commissioner Dr. Clifton Hicken reveal a total of 15 convictions from 50 cybercrime cases in 2025.
Hicken told the Guyana Police Force’s Cybersecurity Awareness and Resilience Symposium on Wednesday that 50 cybercrime-related cases were instituted across the Force in 2025, resulting in 15 convictions — a ratio of 30 convictions for every 100 cases instituted.
Hicken warned that cybercriminals can target Guyanese individuals, businesses and institutions from overseas without ever setting foot on local soil.
That presents a different challenge from conventional policing. Investigators may have to secure electronic evidence, trace transactions, identify individuals operating behind anonymous accounts and obtain information from foreign technology companies or law enforcement agencies.
The Commissioner said the Police Force trained 22 ranks through an introductory digital forensics and cybercrime investigative course in 2025. Officers have also received specialised training through partnerships with regional and international organisations, including the Regional Security System and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.
He said the Force intends to place greater emphasis on digital forensics, artificial intelligence and modern investigative capabilities under its proposed 2027–2031 strategic framework.
The proposed use of artificial intelligence to support cybercrime monitoring and digital forensics is another area of development highlighted by Hicken.
However, he cautioned that technology must be used in keeping with the law, professional standards and individual rights.
AI, he noted, can help investigators process information and identify patterns, but it cannot replace human judgement, accountability or thorough and impartial investigations.
The Commissioner also addressed the reluctance of some victims to report cybercrime because of embarrassment, fear of public judgement or uncertainty about where to seek help.
He urged victims to report incidents to the nearest police station or the Cybercrime Unit and preserve messages, screenshots, transaction records and other information that could assist investigators.
He stressed that victims must be treated with dignity, confidentiality and professionalism.
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