Cybercrime : Beyond Arrests, how to end?

February 2023 marks a new turning point in the hunt for cybercriminals. Repeated attacks by teams from the Central Office for the Repression of Cybercrime (They have now fallen into the nets of the Court of Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism) enabled the dismantling of several networks.

Towards the end of February, a number of cybercriminals are unearthed including 52 are arrested in Calavi. Judged by the Court of Suppression of Economic Infrastructure and Terrorism (I shout) they are thrown in jail. A mass fishing of online delinquents that puts back on the table, the question of the fight against cybercrime in Benin. From sales of dwarf crocodiles or exotic birds to expatriates online to sextortion and hacking of Facebook and other accounts, cybercrime acts abound these days. Complaints of cybercriminal acts are daily. If some savvy people avoid the traps of cyber-scammers, others fall there. The more technology evolves, better these lawless individuals refine their scam strategy. Deeply rooted in Nigeria, the network 4.9.1. has spread its roots well in Benin and thrives like real parasites in a favorable environment.

Talking numbers, they make you dizzy. According to statistics published by the daily Africa On Air on the date of 22 January 2022, environ 1.000 people were arrested by the police between 2016 at 2022 in Benin. In the month of August alone 2022, a hundred young people were also put under extinguisher. In this interview given to the local press 2012, US Online Fraud Agency, Internet Fraud Complaint Center, to publish a blacklist of 200 suspected Beninese cyber crooks. And yet, the phenomenon, far from receding is gaining momentum every day. apart from 52 social divorcees arrested by the police, the press announced that their leader, if not one of their bosses, was arrested in Akpakpa during the same period. According to the information, it is she who is responsible for allowing cyber crooks to withdraw their loot once the crime has been committed.

This whole situation has a negative effect on the reputation of all Beninese. Today, in some neighboring countries, the Beninese name rhymes with banditry and scam. This contrasts with the reputation enjoyed by the country for decades.

A marking on the pants announced

In the wake of all-out arrests, a wave of reactions is noted. One to denounce, the others to condemn but others also to challenge the authorities. The 03 mars 2023, during his weekly meeting with the press, government spokesman, announced that the fight against the scourge will be relentless. “On Cybercrime, I believe this is a project that will now be permanent. it is a sculpture carved in a tree stump that I went to dig up, as long as the networks exist, there will always be people to behave differently than the texts authorize it” declared Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji. The Government Spokesperson thus shows the determination of the Beninese State not to tolerate anything in this direction.. If we stick to his statements, we must expect a relentless fight and strong measures in accordance with the digital and criminal procedure code in force in Benin.

And if we cut the evil at the root?

52 cybercriminals arrested, tried and thrown in prison, one of their bosses arrested in Akpakpa. During the month of February, the harvest made by the Central Office for the Suppression of Cybercrime (They have now fallen into the nets of the Court of Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism) caught big fish in the trap. But still, evil resists and persists like the Hydra. As heads are cut off here, others grow back elsewhere. In this struggle between the police and the axis of evil, well versed in digital technologies, scammers are always one step ahead. Time to empty the pockets or the accounts of the innocent before the OCRC reacts. In such conditions, shouldn't we change our tune? The current strategy is more like the policy of the “doctor after death”. Arrests and repression agreed but anticipation and refined information first. In the battle, no one will be too many and the citizen is still the main actor. The cybercriminal comes from a house, from a family. He's someone's brother or son. He is the husband or partner of a woman. The map of collaboration with the police and information on suspicious movements are necessary in this fight which is far from inevitable.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)