Last month, the Cabinet approved the Cyber Security Policy to counter the rising global menace that is not only threatening economies, but also the security of nations. While Rwanda appears very low on the cybercrime radar, it is prudent that its policy makers keep a step ahead of criminals to reduce potential threats. Conmen, or confidence tricksters as they are traditionally known, have always been in our midst, but now they have gone a notch higher with innovative schemes because of the rise in internet technology. Two prominent personalities recently had a bitter experience of the emerging cyber scammers in our society; the Minister for Defence and a prominent evangelist. People impersonated them on social networking site Facebook to fleece unsuspecting victims. Luckily, police brought it to an end after grueling footwork and the culprits are safely behind bars. But it is unlikely that we will see an end to cybercrime. One can say that those who fall victim have themselves to blame, but on the other hand the sophistication of the scam easily subdues even the most enlightened. The only remedy that can help curb the scourge is to institute stiff penalties for offenders, but that must also go hand-in-hand with public awareness to alert people not to take everything they see on the internet on face value
