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Tom Muleya-Fraud Insight
Many people are wilfully making themselves partners, aiders, frontrunners, and link-pins for fraudsters by spreading detrimental, harmful and fraudulent adverts on social media platforms.
What is worrying that many unverified adverts for Local Job vacancies, overseas jobs and Scholarships are now a common thing on social media platforms.
There are social media zealots who are fond of posting anything on social media platforms without taking regard to the safety of other people.
Posting fraudulent adverts on social media platforms may lead to crimes such as Advance fee fraud, human trafficking, hacking, and even robbery.
In most cases of human trafficking that have come to light, they involve the victim acting upon a false and fraudulent advert or message.
You see, fraudulent adverts do not only lead to monetary or financial loss but to other complicated and dangerous crimes.
It is therefore important that people become each other’s keeper by safeguarding those that are socially connected to them.
Technological advancement and emerging trends are meant to easy human life by providing convenience to communication and way of doing business.
But when people become careless; “that which is good”, can destroy other people.
Technologies pose serious danger to humanity when users become irresponsible and engage in activities that promote crime.
In order to prevent or minimise incidences of endangering other people on social media platforms, one may consider the following;
Any member of a social media group must be self disciplined. One should be able to bridle his or her own actions so as not to endanger other people. Remember irresponsible behaviour can cause many people to be exposed to various crimes as indicated earlier on.
Social Media Group Administrators must communicate rules of communication i.e. the Dos and Don’ts of the Group. Once rules are set, they should firmly control the group and monitor what is communicated on the social media group. Those who communicate irresponsible behaviour by posting fraudulent information or adverts must be quickly warned, and if they don’t change must eventually be removed.
Members of the Group must not rush to consume any information that is posted on Social Media Group because; its not every information that is posted genuine. It does not matter the social media group is a family group or work related group. May social media groups have been infiltrated by fraudsters hence the reason for many fraudulent adverts being flighted on social media groups.
When a group member fails to beat the temptation of a fraudulent advert and become interested in the information, due diligence process must be conducted before responding.
At least every group member should not forward any information or advert they have not verified to either individuals or other social media groups they are connected to.
Participate in the fight against cybercrimes. Think Cyber Security and enjoy your last days of the festive season. Watch out for the next issue.
For your feedback, WhatsApp line: 0772 764 043, or e-mail:[email protected]. Tom Muleya is a Detective Assistant Inspector working under the CID Commercial Crimes Division. He is also a member of the National Cyber Security Awareness Taskforce, Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter