MWANZA: THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has warned the public to be cautious about responding to unsolicited messages from unknown sources on social media, in an effort to combat the increasing incidence of cybercrimes.
TCRA Lake Zone Manager, Engineer Imelda Salum, issued the warning during her presentation on “Digital Economy: Opportunities and Challenges” at the Mwanza Press Club (MPC) annual meeting this week.
Engineer Salum explained that cybercriminals are constantly evolving new tactics, often targeting individuals with text or voice messages that require immediate responses.
She said the scammers frequently send suspicious links and follow up with phone calls, urging victims to quickly join online meetings.
Once a victim responds, the scammers gain access to their contacts, including email addresses, which they can use to carry out fraudulent activities.
“It becomes almost impossible for the victim to recover their contacts because their communication channels are completely hijacked by the scammers,” she said.
She added: “Therefore, it’s crucial to verify who you’re communicating with before taking any action. You might think you’re sending money to someone you know, but scammers can intercept the message and direct you to send money to a different number. Be patient and avoid hasty decisions.”
She insisted on the importance of confirming any instructions before acting, whether it’s transferring money or joining an online meeting.
“Always ask questions: Who are you dealing with? Which meeting is this? What is it about? Asking such questions will often scare off scammers,” she added.
Salum further explained that many Tanzanians involved in digital businesses have suffered financial losses due to such cybercrimes, with no clear way to seek redress.
“There’s often no one to blame because these crimes are perpetrated online and victims are left without recourse,” said Eng Salum.
In response to queries from the meeting participants, Eng Salum clarified that while TCRA offers public education to prevent cybercrimes, the authority does not provide direct assistance to victims.
She said once it is a cybercrime, the police are the appropriate authority to handle the matter.
“Our as role as TCRA is to prevent, not to intervene in criminal investigations,” she explained.
The meeting also touched on the need for online businesses to formalise their operations.
Mwanza City Trade Officer, Mr Boniphace Bilsam, encouraged e-commerce entrepreneurs to register their businesses to facilitate smoother operations and ensure proper taxation.
“The government is in the process of formalising online businesses to create a more secure environment for traders and enable them to compete globally.
Right now, online businesses are largely unregulated, which means the government is missing out on potential revenue from levies,” Mr Bilsam said.
MPC Chairperson, Mr Edwin Soko also urged journalists to adhere to ethical standards and principles to ensure the public receives reliable and responsible information.
He encouraged social media operators to comply with TCRA registration requirements to streamline their activities.
