Police Officers Cautioned On Cyber Scammers

The Acting Commissioner for electronic counter measures, SSP Jimmy Haguma, has cautioned police officers against falling into tricks of cyber criminals. 

Haguma, who was today equipping police officers with cyber skills at the Police headquarters said police officers need to have more than basic cyber knowledge so that they can be in position to fight the computer-generated crimes.

He said when police officers equip themselves with cyber knowledge, it helps them to safeguard both personal and institutional data. “Having cyber knowledge plays a critical role in implementing measures that fortify and improve the cybersecurity. If any one of us falls victim to cyber threats, the entire institution is equally exposed to that risk,” says SSP Haguma.

SSP Haguma’s unit of electronic counter measures falls under the Directorate of Information Communication Technology (ICT) currently headed by Senior Commissioner of Police – SCP Yusuf Ssewanyana.

Police officers equipped with cyber skills were drawn from the Directorate of Counter-Terrorism (CT) headed by Assistant Inspector General of Police –AIGP Abbas Byakagaba and Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headed by Maj Tom Magambo.

During the training, officers were equipped with strategies to shield themselves from digital compromise, cyber offenses, and social engineering tactics. They also received guidance on ethical practices, netiquettes, and managing their electronic devices effectively, which includes scheduling breaks, considering noise-canceling devices, and rewarding themselves for task-focused work.

A number of police officers have fallen victim of cyber fraudsters. Some cyber criminals have duped police officers with promises of taking them for further studies, lobbying for their promotions and taking them for UN missions.

Last year, some police officers paid millions when conmen claimed to be working with ministries of public service, gender and internal affairs. The conmen claimed they had been tasked to select qualifying police officers for courses in South Africa, Israel, UK and US.

Besides police officers, a number of civilians have lost money and sexually been abused by cyber criminals. Senior Commissioner of Police –SCP Fred Enanga had earlier given a scenario where an 18 year old boy, Ashraf Lubega, a resident of Katosi in Mukono district duped and raped several women with medical jobs promise.

“Lubega created a fake identity on Face book, which he used to lure female job seekers. He would thereafter, rape the victims. The suspect, created an online Medical job page called Medical Scrub Uganda, and described himself as Dr. Ronnie. He lured female applicants or job seekers in need of the jobs,” explained Enanga.

Enanga said Lubega had no permanent place of abode but mainly operated in the areas of Mukono and Kayunga. After luring the female victims on Facebook, Lubega would briefly interview them and thereafter schedule a meeting to discuss the terms and conditions.

“He would turn against them in a busy area and rape them. He was however, tracked down by the Crime Intelligence and Flying Squad teams and arrested,” added Enanga. Lubega confessed to have raped more than 30 women including 40 year olds.

SSP Haguma has said that fighting and protecting citizens from cybercrime requires police officers to be well conversant with cyber knowledge. SSP Haguma’s unit intends to equip hundreds of police officers with cyber skills so that they can be in position to fight the crime.