The National Cybersecurity Coordinator, Madam Mariama Yormah, has called on Sierra Leoneans to exercise greater caution online as cybercriminals continue to exploit the country’s growing reliance on digital services.
Madam Yormah made the call during a public engagement held under the theme, “The Fight Against Cyber Crimes – Where Are We,” where she highlighted the increasing risks associated with mobile money transactions, electronic payments, social media accounts, online services and other digital platforms.
She noted that while Sierra Leone’s digital transformation is creating new opportunities for communication, commerce and public service delivery, it is also providing cybercriminals with new avenues to target unsuspecting members of the public.
According to her, cybercrime has increasingly become a profitable criminal enterprise, with perpetrators constantly developing new techniques to deceive, manipulate and defraud their victims.
Among the major threats identified was mobile money fraud, which she described as one of the most common forms of cyber-related crime affecting members of the public. She warned citizens to be particularly careful with unsolicited offers, promotions and messages requesting payment before a promised service or benefit is provided.
She also raised concern over the growing cases of hacked WhatsApp accounts and online impersonation. Cybercriminals, she explained, often take control of victims’ accounts and use their identities to deceive friends, relatives and business contacts into sending money or disclosing sensitive information.
Madam Yormah further cautioned the public about phishing attacks, which involve fraudulent messages, emails or links designed to trick individuals into revealing passwords, banking details, mobile money information and other personal data.
Another concern highlighted was SIM-swap fraud, a technique in which criminals seek to take control of a victim’s telephone number and potentially gain access to accounts and services connected to the SIM card.
She stressed that tackling such threats requires stronger verification mechanisms and sustained collaboration between cybersecurity institutions, telecommunications companies, law enforcement agencies and the general public.
As part of efforts to strengthen public awareness, Madam Yormah encouraged citizens to adopt the simple principle of “Stop, Think and Verify” whenever they receive suspicious messages, calls, links or financial requests.
She explained that taking a moment to verify the identity of a sender or the authenticity of a request could prevent individuals from falling victim to cybercriminals who often rely on urgency, fear and deception to manipulate their targets.
The National Cybersecurity Coordinator also urged victims of suspected cybercrime to report incidents promptly rather than remaining silent. She advised members of the public to preserve important evidence, including screenshots of suspicious messages, telephone numbers, mobile money account details, links and other information that could assist investigations.
She emphasized that timely reporting could help law enforcement agencies and telecommunications providers trace perpetrators and disrupt wider criminal networks.
Madam Yormah further called for stronger cooperation among the police, telecommunications companies, cybersecurity institutions and other stakeholders, noting that the fight against cybercrime requires a coordinated national response.
As Sierra Leone continues to expand its digital economy and increase the use of electronic services, she maintained that cybersecurity must remain a shared responsibility.
She therefore urged citizens to remain vigilant, protect their personal information and avoid responding hastily to suspicious online requests.
Her message was clear: in an increasingly digital Sierra Leone, staying safe online begins with awareness, caution and verification.