People often choose not to report being victims of cybercrime for various reasons, including psychological, social, and practical factors. A key issue is the lack of awareness about what qualifies as cybercrime, leading many individuals not to realize they have been targeted or to downplay the seriousness of the situation. This is especially common among older individuals or those with limited tech knowledge.
Another significant barrier is the fear of feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Victims may think they are gullible for falling for scams or phishing schemes and fear being judged by others. This sense of shame can strongly discourage reporting, particularly in cases involving personal data or financial harm