A Joint Security Intelligence Service has tightened operations to crack down on cyber fraud, which is on the rise in Uganda.

Recently, a Chinese national identified as Yinghe Chen, 43, was arrested for fleecing Ugandans of more than 4.5 billion shillings in an online sports betting scam.

Lt. Col. Emmy Katabazi, the Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), said that, according to reports from the National Cyber Taskforce, the country is under attack from cyber fraudsters, which calls for spirited counter operations to save residents.

He made the statement while delivering a lecture of opportunity to over 240 security officers drawn from the UPDF, Police, and Prisons who are currently undergoing an ideological orientation four-month course at the Oliver Tambo School of Leadership and Pan-African Centre of Excellence, Kaweweta, in Nakaseke district.

“We must work tirelessly to protect the country from cyber-crimes. You must sensitize our people to remain vigilant against cyber fraudsters. Never talk to Bafeere on the phone because the more you talk to them, the faster they can extract your data,” Lt. Col. Katabazi said.

Lt. Col. Katabazi urged the officers to think critically and maintain sharpness in the fight against cyber fraudsters, adding that the officers must always remain on standby.

He added that the task-force has also embarked on a series of investigations into several cyber fraud cases and will soon conclude them.

On corruption, the Deputy Director of ISO cautioned the officers to constantly be alert and share real-time intelligence with relevant authorities.

“Taxes collected domestically in Uganda would fund the country’s budget if it weren’t for corruption,” Lt. Col. Katabazi said.

Lt. Col. Katabazi said that the recently arrested Chinese nationals risk being deported after fleecing Ugandans off large sums of money.

Chen was arrested by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) after the national cyber task-force traced his residence.

More than 6,000 Ugandans lost their money when a cyber-gaming company dubbed Acclaim BLQ Sports SMC and its five subsidiary companies closed operations.

BLQ convinced Ugandans to bet and save online and posted on Telegram, sarcastically thanking them for being fooled. “You Ugandans, thank you; you have been fooled, but I am coming with another trick after this money is over.”