Namibia faces surge in serious online crimes, police warn
Social media misuse fuels crime wave
Police have launched a campaign warning Namibians about a rise in online crimes, including high levels of fraud and defamation.
Namibian police chief Joseph Shikongo says authorities are deeply concerned about a sharp rise in cyber-related crimes over the past three years, with fraud and privacy violations among the most common offences.
Between April 2022 and April 2025, police recorded 11 990 fraud cases and 9 039 incidents of crimen injuria committed via online platforms, Shikongo said on Wednesday.
Crimen injuria refers to the unlawful, intentional and serious violation of a person’s dignity or privacy. During the same period, 4 835 cases of online defamation and 165 thefts under false pretence were reported.
Two cases of extortion and several assaults involving threats were also reported, he said.
Cyber hunting ground
Shikongo shared these statistics at the official launch of the Ethical Use of Social Media Campaign this week.
“The Namibian Police Force has recorded a growing number of criminal cases committed through or facilitated by social media platforms. Among the most prevalent crimes are fraud, crimen injuria, defamation of character, theft under false pretence, assault through threatening, extortion and trafficking in persons,” Shikongo said.
“These cases involve 38 Namibian victims recruited via an online platform to work outside the country, 50 Namibian victims recruited to work inside the country and four foreign nationals recruited to work in Namibia,” he said.
“Additionally, other offences being committed via social media include cyberbullying, online child sexual exploitation, distribution of explicit content without consent, hate speech and incitement to violence,” he added.
Shikongo stressed that such offences are “very harmful” and carry serious consequences under Namibian law, citing legislation including the Financial Intelligence Act, Criminal Procedure Act, Child Care and Protection Act, Electronic Transaction Act and other related laws.
Risky online landscape
Over the past decade, he said, social media has transformed the way people communicate, do business and interact.
“It has opened avenues for free expression and global connectivity,” he conceded, but warned that these platforms, when misused, have become a breeding ground for criminal activity, misinformation, and conduct that undermines the peace and security of our communities.
“The campaign is not aimed at policing free speech or restricting responsible online engagement,” Shikongo underlined.
“Instead, it is about promoting ethical responsibility, encouraging every Namibian to think before they post, verify before they share, and engage without causing harm. A single reckless post can destroy lives, careers, reputations and may land the offender in prison,” he said.
Through the campaign, law enforcement authorities aim to collaborate with schools, universities and community leaders to promote safe and ethical online behaviour.
“We will strengthen our Cybercrime Unit’s capacity to detect, investigate and prosecute social media–related offences and work hand-in-hand with telecommunications companies and platform providers to track and curb online abuse,” Shikongo said. - [email protected]