By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Police has recorded an increase in Cyber related financial crimes where fraudsters have taken advantage of increased online financial transaction services during this period of COVID – 19 and are swindling unsuspecting members of the public.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said police has recorded 56 reports in which people have been swindled out of various amounts of money , the highest being K21, 000.
Ms Katongo said some fraudsters are calling unsuspecting members of the public pretending to be officials from some Banks asking for Bank details.
She said other Fraudsters are running fake promotions under renowned business trade names while others are calling people and are pretending to be officials from mobile service providers purporting to be conducting network tests and end up getting information which they are using to get account details.
Ms Katongo said Lusaka Province recorded 21 cases, Copperbelt, 18, Eastern, four (04), Central Province six (06), southern, Western and Northern Provinces recorded two cases each while North Western recorded one (01).
She has advised members of the public to always verify any information, requests or promotions with financial or business institutions before committing themselves to any online transaction or before giving out personal details.
“We further call upon financial institutions to step up sensitization to their clients on online services and promotions as well as their general operations so as to protect their clients from these fraudsters,” she said.
