adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulation Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has said the country is recording an increase in cyber crime and has warned companies to guard against dealing with non-existent firms.
The regulatory authority expressed concern over the increasing number of individuals and companies who have approached Potraz in hope of tracing monies lost via online and cellphone transactions.
In a statement yesterday, Potraz said mining companies have become the major victims of cyber crime. “Potraz has noticed an increase in the number of people seeking assistance from the authority to recover money lost in purchasing deals involving syndicates masquerading as buyers for large corporations, especially mining companies,” said Potraz.
Potraz urged companies to notify police of any suspicious transactions offered by unknown individuals.
“Members of the public are urged to report to the police any calls from unknown people masquerading as buyers for large corporations wanting to place orders, especially for mining equipment. The syndicates target unsuspecting ordinary citizens whom they suspect to have a lot of money and it all starts with a phone call for a big order of mining equipment from the purchasing officer of a big company, who actually introduces themselves with a correct name of the buyer at the stated company. ” said Potraz.”
The telecommunication regulating company said companies are made to pay for worthless materials by fraudsters. Potraz said fraudsters make their communication though e-mail but after their victims pay for their products they vanish. “Once contacted by the victim, the suggested supplier will confirm their ability to supply the required goods and provides the victim with details of the bank account in which payment should be effected before delivery can be made. Once payment is made, the victim will not hear from the fraudsters again or may receive a parcel with worthless items,” read the statement.
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