Head of Documentation and Visa Fraud at the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, Sup. Francis Baah has advised the youth to refrain from cyber fraud and concentrate on their education to get a better future.
Cyber Fraud known in local parlance as "Sakawa" is an electronic crime in which people deliberately deceive others and dupe them. The degree to which this evil act extends its wings into our society is devastating and alarming with a huge number of the country's youth getting involved.
In an interview with XFM's Mabel Nyadroh, Supt. Francis Baah noted that the practice is becoming severe and gaining more grounds rapidly.
"It is becoming serious, formerly it was on a small scale but now it is worse. Even people who are transferring money for goods bought outside get their monies being diverted into different accounts. What you haven't worked for, don't expect to reap from it, cyber fraud is a temporary success and cannot take you to the end of your life," he added.
Elaborating on the modus operandi of these fraudsters, he said, �some of them go on Facebook and other social networks and they are able to procure friends and establish relationships and change their identities and enter into marriage�. They then go ahead to take money and other valuables after which they back off.
Others are able to persuade unsuspecting prominent people by disguising themselves to commit crimes like blackmailing.
In a studio discussion with Mauvie Hayford and other guests on 'X Factor' radio programme on XFM, a section of the public had the view that parents and policemen support these people who engage in cyber fraud but Supt. Francis Baah debunked claims of police men engaging in cyber fraud.
He however noted that, these fraudsters rather try to pay bribes to the police to set them free when arrested.
The "Sakawa" boys he said become so much indisciplined to the extent that their parents become afraid and cannot report them to the police.
Supt. Baah also disclosed that some of the "Sakawa" boys become the bread winners of their families which makes it difficult for the parents to report their activities to the police.
He believes the practice can be reduced by education to create awareness so that the public do not fall prey to the "Sakawa" boys.
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