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Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh has called for the immediate identification and arrest of individuals behind a failed WhatsApp scam targeting Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah, urging authorities to intensify efforts against cyber-enabled fraud.
The Chief Minister’s remarks followed a disclosure by Minister Bah that he had narrowly avoided being defrauded by a suspected WhatsApp scammer who attempted to solicit money through an Orange Money account.
Sharing details of the incident, Minister Bah said he regularly receives fraudulent messages on WhatsApp and has become familiar with the tactics used by scammers. He explained that during the latest attempt, he deliberately engaged the suspect, who promptly provided an Orange Money number without hesitation, confirming the fraudulent intent.
The Minister also cautioned members of the public to remain vigilant, advising them never to share verification codes they did not request or transfer money without first confirming the identity of the person through a video call or other reliable means.
Responding to the incident, Chief Minister Sengeh called for swift action against the suspected scammer, insisting that both the phone number and the individual behind it should be traced and arrested.
He stressed that Sierra Leone must make cybercrime an expensive and risky venture for offenders, arguing that firm prosecution and custodial sentences would discourage others from engaging in similar crimes.
Minister Bah welcomed the Chief Minister’s position, agreeing that telecommunications companies and the country’s security agencies should work together to identify, monitor and track phone numbers linked to fraudulent activities.
He further proposed the creation of a database of numbers used in scams to enable authorities to quickly trace suspects and strengthen efforts to combat the growing threat of digital fraud.
The exchange between the two senior government officials underscores increasing concern over the rise in phone and WhatsApp-related scams in Sierra Leone, with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between security agencies and mobile network operators to protect the public from cybercriminals.
