Seychelles bolsters cybercrime fight with Chinese-sponsored digital forensic lab |14 November 2023

Mr Mu officially hands over the new lab to Commissioner Barbe

The Seychelles Police Force have taken a significant step forward in the fight against cybercrime with the inauguration of a new Digital Forensic Laboratory, a gift from the Chinese government.

Mu Jianfeng, the chargé d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, officially handed over the laboratory, valued at over 1 million RMB, to Commissioner of Police Ted Barbe in a ceremony at the Mont Fleuri police headquarters yesterday afternoon.

During the event, participants who completed a cybersecurity course were also awarded certificates. Commissioner Barbe highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity, saying, “Cybercrime is one of the highly focused issues of the 21st century. However, our safety in this digital age is threatened by cybercrime.”

The new lab will equip the Cybercrime Unit with advanced tools such as virtual forensic software, devices acquisition, and video surveillance forensics equipment, significantly enhancing their capabilities.

Commissioner Barbe noted the necessity of these advancements due to the increase in cyber offenses, saying, “The evolving methods used by perpetrators have necessitated the police force to improve their capabilities in order to address cybercrime.”

Mr Mu spoke about the lab’s functionalities and the broader implications for security cooperation, and added it will be in full operation in the coming days.

“It will serve as an effective tool to the Seychelles police and relevant authorities in terms of digital data investigation and evidence collection.”

He also referred to the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasising the shared goals in public security. “We will try our best to build a community that is free from the harm of drugs. In this regard, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with Seychelles in the field of public security.”

The initiative is seen as a symbol of the deepening friendship between China and Seychelles, with Mr Mu stating the lab was another token of the friendship between China and Seychelles.

“We will spare no efforts to continue to deepen bilateral political, economic, and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation,” he concluded.

Sunny Esparon