The Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) considers that the community still lacks information about online criminal activities, and as a result, people continue to become victims of online crime.
Director of the PNTL’s Criminal Investigation Service, Chief Superintendent João Belo dos Reis, said that many people are currently becoming victims of online crime involving the purchase of cars, motorcycles and electronic goods, as well as online investments. He said that after victims transfer money, the goods or returns they were promised never arrive.
“People continue to become victims because they lack information about how online crime operates,” he said.
He said that online crime operates through organised networks that make various posts on social media to deceive people through the sale of goods or investment schemes to make a profit for themselves.
“PNTL has regularly published information about online crime, but the community does not pay enough attention to this information. In the end, they only come to make a complaint after they have become victims,” Chief Superintendent Reis said.
He said that online crime cases occur every year and PNTL continues to conduct awareness activities in public places and through the media, but the community does not pay attention and continues to become victims.
“We ask the community to pay attention to the warnings that have been issued and stay away from online crime, because once you hand over your money, it is not easy to get it back,” he said.
He said that recently PNTL detained and arrested 63 Indonesian citizens who were carrying out online criminal activities at a hotel in Tibar. He called on the community not to fall into traps on social media.
On the other hand, online crime victim Anastasia da Costa said that she was very sad after losing USD 5,000 when she tried to buy an Avanza car through an online post.
She said that after transferring the money to the number provided to her, the number was no longer active when she tried to confirm the transaction.
“I transferred the USD 5,000 in two payments. First, I transferred USD 2,500 because they said it was to process the documents. Then I transferred another USD 2,500 to send the car to Dili, but I waited from April until June and nothing happened. I am very sad,” she said.
She said that she had earned the money through her daily efforts over a long period, but it was lost within just a few hours.
“I ask the police to track down those responsible so that they can return the money we have already given them,” Costa said.
In addition, she called on all Timorese not to easily trust advertisements about buying and selling goods on social media so they do not become victims.
