Most regions affected by phone scams as of March 2024 are Rukwa and Morogoro regions where two-thirds of the fraudulent acts took place, adding regions like Mbeya, Dar es Salaam and Tabora followed in the suspected criminal acts at a range of between one percent and 10 percent.
Dar es Salaam. More than 17,300 Sim cards have been blacklisted and deactivated from making and receiving phone calls due to various reasons, including involvement in multiple dubious acts as well as online criminal activities, over the last three months.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) director general, Dr Jabiri Bakari said yesterday that the trend of phone fraudulent incidents is however, on a steady decrease, dropping from 20,939 blacklisted Sim cards in October to December last year down to 17,318 sim cards in January to March this year.
Dr Bakari said that the most affected by phone scams as of March 2024 are Rukwa and Morogoro regions where two-thirds of the fraudulent acts took place, adding regions like Mbeya, Dar es Salaam and Tabora followed in the suspected criminal acts at a range of between one percent and 10 percent.
He said the locations that reported few fraud attempts include Zanzibar’s Kaskazini Pemba (North Pemba) and Kusini Unguja (South Unguja), adding that proper and safe use of the system was paramount to the sustainable growth of the Country and improved living standards of the people.
Dr Bakari, stated that the authority continues to monitor with success in identifying the fraudulent phone calls entering the country and that appropriate mitigation measures continue being taken, leading to the subsequent decrease in several reported incidents.
"TCRA has been overseeing the prevention of stolen, lost, or damaged phones from being used, as well as phones without proper standards, sub-standard or counterfeit phone handsets. The mitigation measures enable the identification and deactivation of duplicate International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEIs), IMEI numbers associated with fraudulent activities, and those reported as lost or stolen,” he explained.
Furthermore, he said the regulatory body has continued to provide education on the safer and proper use of mobile phone services to ensure users are shielded from online scammers.
The TCRA chief has reiterated the significance for citizens and all users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious text messages or calls they receive.
He advised people to continue sending phone numbers from the fraudsters by sending those numbers from to 15040 through short messages (SMS), adding that the service is free of charge. He said regulatory measures, including sanctions against culprits, will be implemented based on these reports.
