Take crime awareness campaigns seriously
WHEN fraudsters plan to launch an attack on any person or business, they arm themselves first with all the necessary information about their victim.
Criminals give themselves time to study their victim, identifying vulnerabilities they can explore to their best monetary advantage.
The fight against fraud and cybercrimes is an ongoing battle, and crime awareness education is one of the major weapons to prevent or minimise such crimes.
Fraud Insight Column is providing valuable and insights into various frauds and cyber related crimes that affect both the general public, and private sector.
I suppose that i f people are empowered on matters of crime through education, fraudulent activities may be minimised.
With the speed at which fraudsters are exploiting cyber space on daily basis, it is difficult for policy makers and law enforcement agents globally to cope- up with emerging criminal trends, which is the reason why ‘crime awareness education’ should be prioritised and seriously embraced.
I t has to be acknowledged that crime awareness education is also being provided by various Public- Private Sector stakeholders at various levels, with a view of creating a crime and cybercrime free environment.
But the major problem i s the human component’s failure to take heed to warning and education and thus victims continue to abound.
Fraud Insight has given and continues to give educational information on crimes ( fraud and cybercrimes) that affect the public and corporate world respectively.
It has provided education on real estate frauds, identity theft scams, hacking, social media aided frauds and cybercrimes in business, agrobased frauds, advance fee frauds, employment scams, WhatsApp scams, procurement scams, pension scams and card cloning, among others.
For education to take place, for example in a business, a workplace awareness policy must be in place.
This is a blue print on what workers must know about crime at the workplace, how they can help minimise criminal activities, how training on preventive strategies will take place. And how they can report criminal breaches within the workplace.
The public must desire to learn from various educational platforms available on print media, internet and through community engagement programmes, and the police on ways of protecting self from fraudsters and cyber criminals when transacting or doing business.
All people must think of security as fraud and cyber related fraud may occur to anyone or any business or organisation.
Due diligence ahould be taken when transacting and avoid shortcuts that may lead to a catastrophic situation.
It is important to secure personal or confidential information’ so that it does not fall in the hands of fraudsters and cyber criminals. Once criminals obtain personal information, they can use it to manipulate or scam their victim. Always report any fraudulent activities to the police’ at the earliest possible time.
Get empowered by Fraud Insight and be part of a solution to fraud and cybercrimes. Stay tuned for other upcoming issues on fraud insight.
Tom Muleya i s a Detective Assistant I nspector working under CID Commercial Crime Division, Harare. He i s also a member of the National Cyber Security Taskforce, Zimbabwe. Feedback: WhatsApp line: 0772 764 043, or e. mail: teezmuleya@ gmail. com