PF asks ZICTA t0 flush out fake Facebook accounts
THE Patriotic Front has demanded for protection of senior party officials from fraudsters using their identities to steal from innocent people using social media, says media director Sunday Chanda.
Mr Chanda has to that effect called on the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) to protect the identities of cabinet ministers and other public office holders including the First Lady from conmen and fraudsters using their
s to swindle people. He said ZICTA must find a way of protecting the identities of public office holders to avoid any duplication of their profiles on social media by unscrupulous persons.
He said as the regulator, ZICTA must ensure they protect both the victims and potential victims from being swindled of their hard-earned money by unscrupulous people using cabinet ministers’ names, including that of the Lungu. members of the public to report anybody using high profile identities requesting for money from them through social media as such activities were perpetrated by criminals.
“We would like to put on
individuals in the habit of using ministers’ names, or emails by the First Lady do not have the blessings of the party and their conduct is nothing but criminal.
“We would like to alert members of the public that whenever you come across anybody requesting any money from you on social media and hiding behind the minister or First Lady, then know that that particular request is coming from a fraudster,” he said.
Mr Chanda explained that they were aware that ZICTA was already following up some reports of duplicated identities on Facebook, but that it was important make public information if anybody has been arrested over the same and how many were appearing before the courts.
He further explained such action would help preserve the integrity of the identities of the people being used as bait, and protect the victims and wouldbe-victims from losing out.
He called on ZICTA to provide some sought of awareness for the general public to protect them from fraudsters using high profile people’s identities.
“And ZICTA must introduce a way for members of the public to report directly to them to avoid bureaucracy with police and their investigations,” he said
Mr Chanda warned members of the public against falling prey to people asking for money on social media under the guise of ministers’ identities as that was criminal act and must be reported to police.