The Mobile Money Advocacy Group (MoMAG), is warning the public of a widespread SIM card fraud scheme.
The group in a statement said this fraud is being perpetrated by agents who are registering new SIMS.
According to the group, some unscrupulous agents register SIM Cards for unsuspecting people and at their blind side, these agents will register two of the cards, with the excuse that, the first card was not successful due to network challenges.
This allow the agents to secretly keep the other cards and later use it for fraudulent activities or sometimes sell it at exorbitant price to people without Ghana Cards.
Female customers have been identified as the group with overwhelming 90% that fell victim to this latest scam.
“It has come to our notice that, some unscrupulous agents register SIM Cards for unsuspecting people and at their blind side, these agents will register two of the cards, with the excuse that, the first was one was not successful due to network challenges. They secretly keep the other cards and later use it for fraudulent activities or sometimes sell it at exorbitant price to people without Ghana Cards. Incidentally, quite a greater number of the victims are females – Over 90%”
The group also called on Ghanaian collaborators to desist from the act since it is against the law.
“Again, some of our Ghanaian ladies who befriend some male of foreign nationals are coaxed into registering SIM Cards with their Ghana Cards. Some of these men will then use the SIM Cards to perpetrate fraudulent activities”
MoMAG has noted that despite engaging with the National Communications Authority (NCA) on this issue in 2023, no action has been taken yet. They are urging the NCA to take immediate action by launching an intensified public education in order to create a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the risks and consequences of SIM card fraud.
“We have engaged the National Communications Authority (NCA) on this issue in the year 2023, but no action has been taken yet. We humbly appeal to the NCA to take necessary action to protect citizens by curbing this menace. This, we believe, will prevent or reduce such fraudulent activities. We have samples of phone numbers used by some of these fraudsters and are willing to provide them to the NCA if need be”
“To nib this issue in the bud, we strongly suggest that, the authorities take immediate action, by launching a public awareness campaign through electronic (radio and television) and print media to educate the public to shun the use of their Ghana cards to buy SIM cards for friends” the group said.
Furthermore, the group recommend that individuals collect their damaged SIM cards from agents if they are told the card is damaged or gone bad during the registration process.
The group has also sound word of caution to rogue agents aiding fraudsters that they will report them to the police and to face the full force of the law if caught.
