An increasing number of scorned lovers are using social network sites like Facebook to blackmail their ex partners by threatening to post their nude pictures online ÔÇô the Botswana police Service (BPS) revealed this week. BPS spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube told Sunday Standard this week that they have been handling a number of cases where a scorned lover would demand payment from an ex-partner or threaten to post their nude pictures as revenge. “The abuse of social networks is a disturbing growing trend in Botswana as some people use it to black mail others demanding money as compensation particularly on Face-Book.
This normally happens when a love relationship goes sour. The other party would threaten to post nude pictures of their partner on the social network demanding money as compensation. We have registered such cases this year and some people have been prosecuted,” he said. Although he could not produce statistics at the time of going to press, Motube said that such a trend is slowly becoming a rising concern in Botswana. He also said there is a growing trend by some Batswana who use the social networks to defame others by hacking into their social network accounts and using their profiles to post vulgar statements or threats. “Some people hack into people’s accounts on the social networks even using the names of public figures to insult or threaten others. They need to know that this is a criminal offence and one can be prosecuted and sentenced to prison,” he said.
He also warned Batswana against recklessly using social networks adding that it can expose them to danger particularly from criminals. He said that criminals the world over, are taking advantage of the cyber-space to swindle other people of their money and commission of other criminal activities. He further pleaded with Batswana to stop posting information on social networks that would put their lives in danger.
“They should not recklessly share information on social networks on what they are doing or where they are as this can expose their property and their lives to the danger of criminals. Cyber criminals are often prying their eyes on the internet to swindle those who they feel are vulnerable. Criminals can investigate one for a long time and pounce on them when they feel it is the right time to attack” Motube said.
