BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE – The Royal Eswatini Police Service is equipping Emaswati with information to protect themselves from BoFacata scams as the festive season approaches, with Assistant Commissioner Nicholas Jele urging the public to remain vigilant, protect personal information and report suspicious activity to help police respond to emerging scam tactics.
Jele was speaking on the Kusile Breakfast Show, where he warned that BoFacata cases have previously increased during the festive season and encouraged Emaswati to spread awareness within their communities. He said members of the public should be particularly careful when dealing with unfamiliar people online and should verify identities before sharing personal information or transferring money.
“We want to plead with you to be cautious,” Jele said, urging Emaswati to approach the festive season with greater awareness of the methods used by scammers.
POLICE PREPARE PUBLIC FOR FESTIVE SEASON
Jele said scammers can use the festive season to target people who are more active online and making purchases, making it important for Emaswati to avoid acting on unverified information. He said members of the public should not assume that someone is genuine simply because they claim to represent a trusted institution.
He warned that some scammers impersonate police officers through WhatsApp calls and use police logos to convince potential victims that they are dealing with legitimate officers.
“These people claim to be the police because they know Emaswati respect the police,” Jele said.
He urged people receiving suspicious calls or messages to verify the identity of the person instead of immediately believing the information being provided.
REPORTING HELPS POLICE
Jele said public reporting remains an important part of the police response because information from victims and members of the public helps investigators understand the latest strategies being used by scammers.
“Reporting helps the police in many ways. They help to know which strategies the scammers are now using,” he said.
He assured Emaswati that police continue working to trace those behind digital fraud despite advances in technology, saying investigators are working to get to the bottom of reported cases.
“Despite technology advancement, police advancement is working tirelessly,” Jele said.
He encouraged Emaswati to report suspicious incidents rather than remaining silent, as information provided to police can assist investigations and contribute to stronger responses to emerging forms of digital fraud.
14 CASES END IN CONVICTIONS
The warning comes as police have already recorded progress in dealing with BoFacata through the courts, with 14 cases having been worked out and closed following convictions.
Jele said the convictions demonstrate that people involved in BoFacata can be identified and brought before the courts, with the highest sentence involving 41 years’ imprisonment or a fine of E159 000.
He also warned would-be offenders that the law carries serious consequences and urged them to consider the impact of a conviction on their future.
“We want to tell those who commit this offence that the rule is very strict. Once you join it, it becomes very difficult to come out,” Jele said.
VERIFY ONLINE SELLERS
Jele also cautioned Emaswati about scams involving goods advertised on Facebook, where criminals pose as legitimate sellers before persuading prospective buyers to transfer money.
He advised people to verify sellers before making payments and, where necessary, approach the police fraud department within the cybercrime sector to check whether the person selling the goods is genuine.
He said people should avoid giving out personal information to individuals whose identities they have not confirmed and should not allow familiarity with technology to create a false sense of security.
YOUTH ALSO TARGETED
Jele said BoFacata does not only affect older people, with young people who understand technology also becoming victims when they fail to take necessary precautions.
“It doesn’t matter how much you understand something, but you can be a victim by being careless,” he said.
He urged Emaswati to trust their instincts, verify people claiming to represent institutions and avoid sharing personal information simply because a caller or online contact appears convincing.
As the festive season approaches, Jele called on Emaswati to share the warning with others and remain alert when using digital platforms, saying public awareness and timely reporting can help strengthen efforts to prevent BoFacata-related losses.
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