Ways to Identify MTN Mobile Money Fraud in Ghana

Have you been a victim of fraud? Are you one of the people who sent your hard-earned money to undeserving thieves? Do you want to know how they work and what you can do to protect yourself? You are at the right place.

Keep reading this article to learn a thing or two.

MTN introduced the ID system in April. When you want to withdraw money, you have to show your identification card at some point to be able to complete the transaction process.

The new development has been a major headache to some Ghanaians because humans are prone to forgetfulness. We all know how frustrating it is to walk to an agent and forget your identification card at home.

It is important to abide by new rules that your network providers have set to fight against money fraud. To fight the menace, we must first identify the tactics used by these fraudsters. They are coming out with new tricks all the time.

What tricks have they come out with so far?

Know the Facts

First, MTN’s official contact is 024 430 0000. If MTN calls you through this number, they talk to you about customer queries, rewards, and promotions.

They will not call you through a landline or another network. Since we have established that if anyone calls you or texts you through any number apart from the one above, telling you, they have sent money to your phone, know that they are trying to fraud you.

What do they usually tell you when they call you?

They can call to tell you they had initiated a wrong transaction and the money came to your phone, so you should send the money back for them.

This is the most common tactic used. The fraudsters will initially send you a text message with noticeable grammatical errors, even though it has the same format as the ones you get from MTN when you receive or send money.

What should you do in this situation?

The first thing to know is that when a wrong transaction is done, and money is sent to your phone, the person who sent the money is supposed to go back to the agent, the agent will call MTN, and your account will be blocked for a few days.

That is the status quo. But sometimes, the individual decides to call you because they do not want to wait for days.

So what you should do is read the message and check your account or transaction statement to be sure the money came through. If it did, send it back to the person. If it did not hit your account, report the fraudster.

What else can they call you for?

These fraudsters will call you and tell you a relative of yours. It could be your child, sister, or parent is injured in a fatal accident and is in the hospital, so you should spend some amount of money for treatment to start.

This situation can be very tricky. The panic is the voice of the fraudster, and the information they give about your relative will even surprise you because it could be true, and it can be a lie.

What can you do in this situation?

We all know how the health system works here in Ghana. When you take someone to the emergency room, nurses will tell you to pay before they start treating, you will think they are joking, but they will feign nonchalance till the patient dies.

When you receive such a phone call, do not panic. Ask which hospital your relative was sent to and go there immediately. A fraudster will use vulgar speech when you don’t comply with their direction.

But someone genuine will give you the location and probably even pay themselves to start treatment on your relative. Do not send money to someone you do not know!

Do you think that is all?

Fraudsters now work with secret applications and software they have developed. With these applications, they can easily withdraw money from your account. The app shows how much is in your account.

They will call you and ask you to follow certain instructions, and they may tell you that you have won a promotional price, and you should dial certain codes and follow prompts to redeem it, “all be lie.”

You will notice that when you are trying to call someone, there is a message from MTN that says, “MTN or employees of MTN will not call you to send airtime or pay money to redeem your promotional price.” Do not be a mugu.

As stated above, MTN will not call you with a landline or any other number other than 024 430 0000. Once you pick up a call and the other person on the line begins to make unusual demands, drop the call.

Who are their biggest targets?

Fraudsters usually target the elderly and vulnerable in society. These are people who do not use social media or watch television all the time, so they easily fall prey to these acts.

If you are reading this article, pick up a thing or two and explain and educate yourself, your parents, aunties and uncles, and grandparents because they are the most vulnerable. If they can read, share this insightful article with them.

What can be done?

MTN has already introduced public education. The youth and traditional can do public education through articles such as this, advertisements on televisions, etc. The ID system is also a plus.

Fraudsters should be tracked and arrested to serve as a deterrent to others.

Government should provide jobs for the youth!

And don’t be a mugu.