Auleria Wakudumo
Despite the warnings and efforts of the Namibian Police to protect the public, widespread ignorance continues to pose significant challenges.
Following the incident of a nurse from Oshikoto region, who was robbed in the Ohangwena region when she went to meet her new Facebook friend last week, Nampol’s community affairs officer Andrew Nghiyolwa urged the public to be cautious when interacting with people they meet online.
It is alleged that a 27-year-old female nurse, who is based at Omuthiya, befriended someone on Facebook, and agreed to travel to meet him at Endola.
It is alleged that the nurse never made an effort to video-call the online friend before agreeing to meet him.
She reached Endola at around 22h00 last Monday.
She was then met and picked by two young men, who identified themselves as delegates of her Facebook boyfriend.
Nghiyolwa said that the suspects stopped in the bushes, threatened the victim with knives, and demanded money.
“They eventually compelled her relatives to rescue her by sending money,” he said.
The two men released the lady after receiving a total amount of N$3 000.
The suspects also took her cellphone, valued at N$14 000.
In 2021, a similar incident took place in October, when a 19-year-old female was raped by a ‘fake Exit’ whom she met online and had been communicating with for a month before agreeing to meet.
“It seems like we still have a long way to go in educating our nation about the danger of online friends.
Namibians should put their safety first before anyone else. Arrange to meet in a public place during the day,” he said.
“Some people pretend to be honourable, handsome, wealthy, well-educated, but their intentions are bad. Some can even pretend to be me, calling people saying it’s Nghiyolwa. Luckily, people know my voice. They post pictures of people supposed to be themselves, standing near nice cars and beautiful houses in the background,” he said.
A case of robbery was registered, but no suspects have been arrested.
Police investigations continue.