Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa is concerned about the increase in cybercrimes coupled with cross-border crimes committed in Namibia.

Imalwa called for concerted efforts from all law enforcement agencies to fight these crimes, through which hundreds are defrauded of their hard-earned income.

Scammers, she said, are using social media platforms to commit the crimes.

"Last night, I came across some advertisements on TikTok. When I talk about TikTok, some people laugh. As a prosecutor, I have to be proactive; there were advertisements from Canada. They need cleaners, and they say they are paying USD 26,000 per month. Now imagine: Where do they get that money? Do they pay the professionals that amount per month? It is a question, and they said, Relocation and everything is free."

Attorney General Festus Mbandeka also raised his concerns about the 7% increase in reported criminal cases between 2021 and 2022.

"Financial crimes and other types of crime, cybercrime, and similar crimes in the digital space are also on the increase, and they pose a big challenge, especially in a smaller economy like ours. Organised crimes and cybercrimes are compounded by their potential to be transnational. It is no secret that we do not always have the necessary capacity and legal framework in place to facilitate operational matters in criminal activities."
  
Mbandeka thus wants law enforcement and public prosecutors to share strategies on how to effectively minimise criminal activities.

The five-day Prosecutors Conference that ends on Friday is aimed at strengthening collaboration between the police and public prosecutors' offices countrywide.