Cyber Security Authority warns public to stay off Online Impersonators

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has warned the general public to avoid following social media links of government officials purported to be offering jobs and contracts to potential businesses.

This comes after the authority in an active threat intelligence conducted on social media revealed that online impersonation became a major threat in the month of June 2022 for businesses online.

According to the authority, the menace took a significant proportion of online scam activities over the period.

“Online Impersonation assumes a significant portion of fraudulent online activities. The “unrestricted” nature of social media account registration processes grants all users the ability to assume any identity.”

“This has emboldened scammers who generally take on the profiles of known businesses as well as political and influential personalities in society for their criminal activities”, it stated.

Activities related to this scam include the promotion of fraudulent investments, loan scams, gambling fraud, government agent scam (award of non-existing contracts, grants, and scholarships), fake recruitment offers, solicitation of funds and online service fraud.

The authority in the statement also announced its 24 hours surveillance and incident reporting lines for the general public to report on any suspected fraudulent online activity.

“The CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking clarification and guidance on online links and transactions; Call or Text – 292, WhatsApp – 0501603111, Email – [email protected]”.

The Cyber Security Authority is therefore on high alert for such activities which has become prevalent online.