THE recent busting and subsequent arrest of members of a sophisticated EcoCash fraud syndicate operating in Chitungwiza has once again exposed a true reality, Zimbabwe’s rapid digital transformation has not been matched by an equally strong investment in digital safety education.
According to media reports, the young men allegedly lured victims through social media, fake promotions and deceptive “free data” links, tricking them into surrendering one-time passwords and confidential details that allowed the suspects to drain their mobile money wallets. Some of the stolen proceeds were reportedly converted into cryptocurrency, making tracing and recovery even more difficult.
Cybercrime is no longer a distant, foreign problem. It is here, organised, technologically-sophisticated and increasingly targeting ordinary Zimbabweans who rely on mobile money and digital platforms for their daily lives.
Zimbabwe has, over the past decade, made massive strides in expanding access to digital technologies. Mobile penetration is high, mobile money platforms are widely used and internet connectivity is steadily spreading into rural and marginalised areas. These gains are commendable and necessary for economic growth, financial inclusion and social development.
However, connectivity without education creates vulnerability. When citizens are introduced to digital tools without being taught how to use them safely, they become easy targets for criminals who exploit curiosity, desperation and limited technical knowledge.
The EcoCash syndicate case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of rising online fraud, impersonation scams, phishing attacks and identity theft across the country.
This is why the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) must urgently rethink how the Universal Service Fund (USF) is deployed.
The USF was established to promote universal access to ICT services by ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in the digital age.
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Traditionally, this has meant building base stations, connecting schools, establishing community information centres and expanding broadband coverage.
These investments remain essential, but the digital landscape has evolved. Today, meaningful access is not just about having a signal or a device, it is about having the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Cybersecurity education must, therefore, become a core pillar of the USF’s mandate. The criminals behind mobile money and online scams rely heavily on social engineering rather than advanced hacking. They manipulate human behaviour by creating a sense of urgency, excitement, fear or opportunity.
A message promising free data, a fake job-offer , a bogus investment opportunity or an impersonation of a trusted brand is often all it takes to trick a victim into clicking a link or sharing a code.
Many Zimbabweans are unaware that legitimate service providers will never ask for one-time passwords, PINs or full personal details via social media or unsolicited messages.
This knowledge gap is precisely what criminals exploit and it is a gap that can be closed through sustained, nationwide education. Potraz is uniquely positioned to lead this effort.
As the regulator of the telecommunications and postal sector, it already works closely with mobile network operators, internet service providers, government institutions, schools and community organisations.
Through the Universal Service Fund, Potraz has access to resources specifically earmarked for advancing digital inclusion.
Redirecting a meaningful portion of these resources towards large-scale cyber awareness programmes would not require inventing a new system, it would simply mean expanding the definition of what universal service truly entails in the 21st century.
A national cyber awareness campaign funded by the USF should be comprehensive, continuous and accessible. It should go beyond occasional workshops or short-lived publicity drives.
Zimbabwe needs a sustained programme that reaches people where they live, work and learn. Community radio stations, which remain a powerful medium in rural areas, can broadcast regular segments on mobile money safety and online fraud prevention.
Television programmes can feature real-life case studies, expert discussions and practical demonstrations of common scam techniques.
Social media platforms can be used to circulate simple, shareable messages about cyber hygiene, warning signs of scams and steps to take if one becomes a victim.
Schools and colleges must also become central to this effort. Just as learners are taught road safety and basic health education, they should be taught digital safety from an early age.
Modules on password management, recognising phishing attempts, protecting personal information and responsible social media use should be integrated into the curriculum.
Young people are among the most active users of digital platforms and while they are often more comfortable with technology than older generations, comfort does not automatically translate into security awareness. Equipping them with proper knowledge not only protects them but also turns them into ambassadors of cyber safety within their families and communities.
Furthermore, Potraz’s existing community information centres can be transformed into hubs for cyber awareness.
These centres can host regular training sessions, provide printed educational materials in local languages and offer basic support to individuals who suspect they have been scammed.
Partnerships with mobile network operators, banks, fintech companies and law enforcement agencies can strengthen these initiatives by ensuring consistent messaging and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
The economic implications of inaction are severe. When citizens lose money to scams, household finances are destabilised and trust in digital financial systems is eroded.
People become reluctant to use mobile money, online banking and e-commerce platforms, slowing the growth of the digital economy. For a country seeking to modernise its financial sector, attract investment and promote innovation, this loss of confidence is damaging.
Moreover, the use of cryptocurrency and other advanced techniques by criminals suggests that Zimbabwe is increasingly being drawn into global cybercrime networks.
Without proactive measures, the country risks becoming both a target and a transit point for international digital crimes. Investing in cyber awareness is far cheaper than dealing with the consequences of widespread cybercrime. The cost of producing educational content, training facilitators and running awareness campaigns is minimal compared to the cumulative losses suffered by victims and the resources required for investigations and prosecutions.
More importantly, prevention preserves dignity. It spares families the trauma of losing hard-earned money and the sense of shame that often accompanies being scammed.
Potraz has, in the past, demonstrated its ability to implement large-scale projects using the Universal Service Fund. From connecting remote schools to establishing ICT labs, the authority has shown that it can translate policy into practical outcomes.
What is now required is a strategic shift in priorities that recognises cyber safety education as just as important as physical connectivity. In today’s world, a connected but unprotected citizen is not truly empowered.
The EcoCash syndicate case should therefore be seen not only as a criminal matter but as a policy challenge. It signals the urgent need to move from a narrow focus on infrastructure towards a more holistic approach to digital inclusion, one that balances access, affordability and security.
Zimbabwe’s digital future depends not only on faster networks and wider coverage but on an informed and vigilant population.
This is the best time for Potraz to place cyber safety literacy at the centre of its USF strategy.
By doing so, the regulator would be investing not just in cables, towers and computers, but in people. And in the long run, an educated, cyber-aware citizenry is the strongest firewall any nation can build against digital criminals.
Mutisi is the CEO of Hansole Investments (Pvt) Ltd. He is the current chairperson of Zimbabwe Information & Communication Technology, a division of Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers. — +263772 278 161 or [email protected]
