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FRAUD IS A DEVASTATING PHENOMENON - NATCOM

By Crime Watch | 2024-11-17

Fraud is a phenomenon that has devastating effects which include loss of personal and organisational savings, business closures and loss of employment thus crippling the country’s economy which has already been hit hard by other instabilities.

National Commissioner of Police Manoma (NatCom) Vusie Masango speaking during the launch of the fraud awareness campaign held at Royal Villas the awareness campaign presented a perfect opportunity for all sectors involved in the fight against fraud to reach out to the public and businesses susceptible to fraud and financial crimes.

He lauded the Eswatini Bankers Association (EBA) and all stakeholders for their resolve and commitment in conducting anti-fraud awareness and education to help reduce the impact of the phenomenon in the country.

Fraud
The campaign coincides with the international fraud awareness week ( November 17-23, 2024) which is a global effort to minimise the impact of fraud by promoting ant-fraud awareness and education. As cases of fraud emerge and continue to surge, it is key that all stakeholders and individual take a lead and play their part in trying to curb the scourge.

“We have seen the practical strategies and interventions that have been employed through co-operation and collaboration with various other stakeholders that are evidence that you have consistently supported this campaign.

The 2024 campaign is running under the ‘Be aware connect with care vigilant” highlighting the fact that it is important to be alert at all times whenever a transaction is conducted online.

Masango said as more people conduct their daily transactions online, there was high likelihood for users to lower their guard, click away without care and attention. He said the theme, encouraged thoughtfulness and reflection, clarity of mind including awareness of potential threats and suspicious cyber instructions whenever one is transacting online.

He noted that with the transition to online a large number of fraud cases that have been committed and reported are now cyber linked which occur locally, regionally and internationally.

He said fraud manifests in different ways such as theft by false pretense, commercial, investment, internet, ATM fraud and the emerging facata scam.

Masango said the new facata scam is a devastating crime trend that is wreaking havoc to people’s finances and bank accounts.

He said since the beginning of the year up to date, at least 360 cases have been reported to the police and Emaswati have lost monies valued at E3 Million through this scam.

This scam targets unsuspecting cellphone users and lures them into following counterfeit instructions aimed at conning them into divulging their very private and personal information, including pin numbers to their bank accounts.

The police have made a major breakthrough in some of these cases as a total of thirty-one (31) suspects have been arrested for this crime and forty-five (45) cases were successfully proven and completed before court.

Masango reiterated the police service dedication and commitment in tackling fraud through collaboration with various stakeholders in the country.

Tips to follow
to avoid being a victim of fraud:

n Be aware, connect with care and be vigilant on links, icons, pop up messages, unknown emails, SMSes and notifications. It is safer not respond to them, rather delete them immediately.

n Use reliable e-commerce sites for online shopping with the padlock image on the toolbar or the words “verified by Visa/MasterCard secure code” at the bottom of the site.

n Make sure to verify ownership of properties being sold such as livestock, land, homes and cars before making payments.

n Report all suspicious activities to the relevant stakeholders which include banks, telecommunication companies and the police if you suspect any underhandedness or fraudulent activity.

n Companies and financial institutions in particular, are also advised to put in place watertight security and accounting system controls that will ring the alarm if there are any fraudulent activities or security breach.

n Companies need to supervise employees closely, conduct periodic audits, spontaneous inspections, separation of employees’ duties close supervision of performance and behaviour as well as offering attractive remuneration packages to minimise misappropriation tendencies.

n Mobile money agents and users should be extra cautious when receiving messages of deposited funds in your accounts and verify first if they are genuine before releasing goods or services or even returning the funds if asked to do so by unknown callers.

n Do not give out your pin or any personal details at any given point.

n Never be pressured to offer upfront payments for goods advertised online without authenticating if the seller is a reliable supplier.

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