Experts themselves acknowledge that these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. A critical situation Every day, up to 30 new complaints are received, the majority of which are sexual extortion, scams, identity theft, data theft, and account violations. "Today, there is no crime in Panama that does not involve some kind of technology," warned Gonzalez from the specialized unit. Gonzalez's figures, revealed on the Open Debate program, show that by October, there were 211 cases of computer security crimes, making it clear that criminals have also migrated to the digital world. There have also been 210 reports of fraud and scams, with people falling into traps daily out of necessity, haste, or because "Creole cunning" never rests. As for domestic violence, it continues to leave deep wounds with 98 cases, a painful reminder that there are still homes where fear rules more than peace. But the list does not end there: 55 financial crimes, 39 rapes and sexual offenses, and 36 thefts and 36 cases of insult and slander are recorded. Finally, the data indicates that there are 35 crimes against human life, the most serious and the most painful, and 25 crimes committed with checks or credit cards, showing that crime can take a thousand forms.
In Panama, a feeling is repeated on the streets: insecurity is no longer a foreign tale, it is something that breathes very close to us. And although there is talk of robberies, homicides, and disappearances, today the concern has also moved to another neighborhood: cyberspace, where most people are unaware of the dangers lurking. Security experts agree that the country is not prepared to face digital crime. Vladimir Gonzalez, head of the Cybercrime Division of the Judicial Investigation Directorate, reveals that 865 cases were reported between January and October. And something that is of concern: minors are also being hunted on digital platforms, where adults disguise themselves as children to obtain intimate content.
The other fear: reporting In addition to the crime, victims face another monster: the fear of reporting. Fear of being exposed. Fear that the police will not protect them in time. Fear that the family will find out. Fear that "the cure is worse than the disease." Gonzalez indicates that without digital evidence, it is almost impossible to investigate. But the reality is that many delete messages out of shame or terror. The problem is bigger: the country did not teach us to protect ourselves.
Panama has not digitally educated its population and is still in its infancy in terms of technology. We don't know how to turn off the location on a photo, we don't understand the risks of sharing data, we don't suspect offers that are too good to be true. And to top it off, public institutions have also suffered data leaks or improper handling of data, which increases distrust. "Crime is always one step ahead of the state," they said.
So what do we do? Experts have provided some practical suggestions: Digital education in schools. A modern criminal policy, not improvised speeches. Real protection and support for victims. Institutions that care for people's data. More civic awareness: understanding that there are also dark streets on the internet. Because as one expert summarized: "The danger on the internet is as real as walking through a hot neighborhood, it's just that from your sofa you don't see it coming."
