Cyberthefts in the first four months of this year have already surpassed the total for 2013, according to the National Police Agency.

Online fraud targeting people and companies had come to ¥1.417 billion as of May 9, topping total of ¥1.406 billion logged last year, the NPA said Thursday.

The cyberthieves, who use stolen IDs and passwords, are also taking higher amounts than before, the NPA said, adding that there were 873 online thefts in the roughly four-month period versus 1,315 last year.

This year, the thieves appear to be focusing on companies. The 109 thefts so far targeting corporate accounts have netted around ¥480 million, up nearly fivefold from the ¥98 million stolen in 54 thefts the year before.