Sojworldnews | Cybercrime Awareness

Police Warn Internet Users: Think Before You Click, Share or Lend

Cybercrime keeps growing, and a police voice is urging the public to stop feeding it. In a recent awareness talk, Rilwan Disu warned internet users that several everyday habits can put them in serious legal trouble. Moreover, he stressed that many offenders never set out to commit a crime. They simply click, forward or lend without thinking.

First, Disu addressed cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Both are crimes, he said, and both leave real victims behind. Many of those victims suffer in silence because they fear more attacks. Therefore, he urged users to treat people online exactly as they would in person. A screen does not shrink the harm. It only hides the offender for a little while.

Next, he turned to fake news. Every day, people forward alarming messages within seconds, yet few of them check the facts. As a result, false stories spark panic and sometimes put lives at risk. Knowingly spreading such information is an offense. “Verify before you forward,” Disu said. “Don’t just forward because somebody has sent it to you.” He then offered a simple rule: “Verify if you are not sure.”

“Verify before you forward. Don’t just forward because somebody has sent it to you.”Rilwan Disu

Then came one of the strongest warnings of the talk. Sharing another person’s nude or private photos and videos is a crime. It makes no difference whether someone does it as revenge or “just for fun.” Courts do not accept either excuse. Furthermore, the damage to victims can last for years. Relationships collapse, careers suffer, and many victims carry deep emotional pain. Disu therefore told listeners to resist the crowd. “Don’t follow them to share anybody’s nude picture,” he said. “Don’t try it.”

However, the gravest danger involves children. When a child appears in such content, the offense becomes even greater. Disu left no room for doubt on this point. “Don’t ever join it,” he said. “It is dangerous. It’s a serious crime.” Anyone who receives this kind of material should refuse to open it, share it or keep it. Instead, they should report it to the police.

Finally, Disu described a trap that catches many young people: lending out bank accounts and SIM cards. Fraudsters often ask for these items and promise a small payment in return. Meanwhile, the owner’s name stays attached to every transaction and phone number. “Don’t lend anybody your bank account,” he said. The same caution applies to SIM cards. If criminals use either one, investigators will trace it back to the owner.

Disu’s warning arrives at a time when almost everyone carries a smartphone. Consequently, a single careless tap can reach thousands of people within minutes. Once a message leaves your phone, you cannot call it back. For that reason, police say prevention works far better than punishment.

So what can ordinary users do? Fortunately, the steps are simple. Before sharing a message, check it against a trusted news source. Before posting a photo, ask whether the person in it agreed. Likewise, keep your account details and SIM card to yourself, even when the request comes from a friend or relative. Above all, report harassment and abusive content instead of passing it along.

Taken together, the message is clear. Technology gives everyone a powerful platform, but it also carries real legal consequences. Therefore, internet users should pause before they post, check before they share, and guard their personal details. In the end, a few seconds of caution can prevent years of regret.

Report cyberbullying, stalking and abusive content to the police or to the platform where it appears.