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The National Communications Authority (NaTCA) has intensified its nationwide consumer education campaign to strengthen public awareness of online fraud and equip Sierra Leoneans with the knowledge needed to protect themselves against growing cyber threats.
The campaign comes amid increasing reports of cybercriminals using fake internet links distributed through SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, email and other online platforms to deceive users into revealing personal information, compromising messaging accounts and stealing money. In many cases, hacked accounts are reportedly used to impersonate victims and solicit funds from their relatives, friends and business associates.
Speaking on the initiative, NaTCA Director General Amara Brewah said consumer education remains the most effective tool in combating internet-based fraud, noting that cyber scams have become a global challenge affecting countries at every stage of technological development.
“These scams happen all over the world, even in first-world countries. Consumer education is therefore the most effective defence and that is exactly what NaTCA is embarking on,” Brewah said.
He clarified that the fraudulent messages circulating online do not originate from Sierra Leone’s mobile network operators, adding that the Authority has engaged telecommunications stakeholders to develop practical measures aimed at reducing online scams and strengthening consumer protection.
As part of the campaign, NaTCA is encouraging members of the public to rely only on verified official websites and authenticated social media platforms when responding to requests for personal information, financial details or account verification.
The Authority also advised internet users never to click on suspicious links received from unknown or unverified sources, avoid sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs), refrain from downloading attachments from unfamiliar senders and verify the authenticity of messages before disclosing confidential information.
To further enhance online security, NaTCA urged consumers to keep their mobile applications and device software updated, use strong and unique passwords for online accounts, and enable two-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
The Authority explained that cybercriminals commonly exploit phishing attacks by creating fake websites that closely resemble legitimate platforms to steal passwords, banking information, mobile money credentials and other sensitive data. It therefore encouraged users to carefully examine website addresses for spelling errors, unusual characters and unfamiliar domain names before entering any personal information.
NaTCA said it is working closely with the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, as well as development partners, to expand digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness across Sierra Leone through public education initiatives, including activities marking Cyber Security Awareness Month.
Reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, the Authority urged the public to remain vigilant, think carefully before clicking unfamiliar links and report suspected online scams through NaTCA’s official communication channels.
According to the Authority, building a digitally secure Sierra Leone requires collective responsibility, with informed and vigilant consumers serving as the first line of defence against cybercrime and online fraud.
