The primary disadvantages of cybercrime include financial losses for individuals and businesses, theft of personal and sensitive data, damage to business, disruption of services and the psychological impact on victims, such as stress and anxiety.

Cybersmart Botswana, in collaboration with Botswana Police Service (BPS), the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) and the Botswana Fiber Networks (BOFINET), has embarked on a roadshow to raise awareness on the rising incidents of cybercrime in the country at Serowe main kgotla on Wednesday.

Cybersmart Botswana Programme Coordinator, Mr David Moepeng said though it had a lot of positives, cyber technology also had proven to be used for the wrong reasons.

Mr Moepeng told Bangwato mostly elders gathered at the kgotla that technology was now used for corruption and other criminal activities.

He advised Batswana on the risks of sharing personal information on the Internet and said criminals could try to use the information to scam an individual.

He said that cyber technology could be effective when used for the right purposes, such as opportunities including looking job opportunities online, researching, games, courses and also to acquire information and news around the world.

He added that cyber technology could also be used to create educational activities and advertising businesses easily.

The coordinator further indicated that, hacking, phishing, malicious software are used by cyber criminals to hijack files and hold them to ransom.

‘’Be on the lookout for suspicious links, attachments, and refrain from downloading them”,he said

He advised them to create and use strong passwords, use secure Internet communications and update anti-virus software regularly.

He also advised them to report anything suspicious to relevant authorities.

He said that hackers seek out personal data that can be used for financial fraud and identity theft.

Mr Moepeng further said pensioners, elders, business people were losing money to fraudsters who were pretending to be from pension organisations.

He advised Batswana to stop giving their personal information to people they do not know as they compromised their security.

For his part Detective (CID), Mr Letlhogonolo Makakmbo from Serowe Police Station urged parents to warn their children about the consequences of cybercrime.

Mr Makombo said police were concerned about the rate at which people were violating others through social media platforms in Serowe.

He said cellphones and computers have been introduced to them so as to develop them and make it easier to communicate and perform their functions well, not to invade other people’s right.

He said current trends of crimes committed through the use of cyber space required the need to develop an appropriate legal framework that will deal with emerging security issues.

Mr Makombo said such crimes include terrorism, money laundering, financing terrorism, human trafficking, defaming, cyber annoyance and cyber harassment.

He said they have identified three classes of cybercrime occurred in Serowe which he said were obtaining by false pretenses, Cybercrime and fraudsters.

He said in 2023 from January to December in Serowe district they have registered 88 cases of obtaining by false pretenses, 13 cybercrimes and 12 fraudsters, adding that in 2024 from Januaryfalse pretenses, cybercrime 8 and only 1 fraudsters.

Kgosi, Kgosi Gaogane said some people disclosed and published private sexual photographs and videos without the consent of such persons.

Some send accidents while the relatives were still not informed.

He said this also include revenge pornography, where sexual photographs are posted without consent of those who appear on them, adding that such crimes were increasingly being committed, hence the need to tighten legislation around the area.

Mr Keagile Kenaope advised that Cyber smart Botswana should empower individuals with the necessary information and resources, disseminate information in rural villages.

He said the police seek to create a more resilient and informed community that is better equipped to safeguard against fraudulent activities.

Mr Kenaope also said the rising cases of obtaining by false pretense underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness, vigilance and community collaboration.  ENDS