Mobile money scam attempts decline as ‘Sitapeliki’ campaign bears fruit

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has recorded a significant 19 per cent decline in mobile money fraud attempts between March and June this year, a development attributed to increased public awareness, strengthened regulatory oversight, and enhanced internal security measures by mobile network operators.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), in its latest performance report, indicates that reported mobile money fraud cases dropped from 17,152 in March to 13,837 in June.

Analysts have largely credited this positive trend to the national Sitapeliki campaign, which encourages mobile money users to identify and report suspicious activity. The campaign is part of a broader digital reform effort aimed at bolstering financial security across the country.

“This is a step in the right direction,” noted ICT analyst Anania Kapala, adding that user trust is fundamental to the growth of Tanzania’s digital economy. “When people feel their money is secure, they’re more likely to embrace digital financial services.”

Mobile money services remain central to Tanzania’s financial inclusion drive, enabling transactions such as retail purchases, utility payments, and cross-border remittances. As adoption rises, experts say sustained trust will determine the long-term success of digital platforms.

According to the TCRA report, three mobile operators—Airtel, TTCL, and Yas—posted notable improvements in curbing fraud. Airtel recorded a 56 per cent drop in reported cases, from 5,876 in March to 2,595 in June. TTCL followed closely with a 58 per cent fall from 3,925 to 1,658. Yas registered a marginal decline of 0.2 per cent, from 2,484 to 2,478.

The TCRA attributes these gains to targeted security measures, including proactive customer communication and robust internal monitoring systems.

ALSO READ:  Airtel warns customers against mobile money fraud

However, not all service providers registered similar progress. Vodacom Tanzania reported a 34 per cent increase in fraud cases—from 3,143 in March to 4,224 in June—while Halotel saw a rise from 1,724 to 2,882 in the same period. Analysts believe these contrasting trends reflect differences in the efficiency of fraud detection systems and the extent of customer education efforts.

Regionally, Rukwa Region led the country in reported mobile money fraud cases, with 4,353 incidents, followed by Morogoro (4,285), Dar es Salaam (1,152), and Mbeya (803). The report suggests rural and peri-urban communities are increasingly being targeted, possibly due to lower digital literacy and limited access to consumer education.

Digital finance advocate Said Maulid welcomed the declining figures but urged further reforms to simplify the fraud reporting process.

“While the SMS-based mechanism has helped, users should be able to report suspicious messages immediately through mobile apps and USSD codes,” he said.

Further evidence of impact is reflected in the 2024 national crime report, which indicates that losses from digital fraud dropped from 5.06 billion/- in 2023 to 5.32 billion/- in 2024. Though the decline is modest, experts view it as a signal that fraud prevention strategies are beginning to bear fruit.

Kapala, the ICT analyst, noted that digital wallets already offer security benefits over cash, but emphasized the need to address user concerns over transaction costs and system reliability.

“People will use mobile money more often if it is convenient and affordable. However, fees and occasional downtimes still discourage usage, especially among low-income earners,” he said.

He urged users to take personal precautions such as frequently updating their PINs and verifying recipient details before sending money.

“Fraudsters thrive on speed and user carelessness. A simple habit like changing your PIN regularly can make a big difference,” Kapala advised.

As Tanzania steadily moves toward a cash-lite economy, stakeholders agree that combating mobile money fraud remains a priority. The recent downward trend in fraud attempts is encouraging, but experts warn that continued investment in cybersecurity, user education, and coordinated enforcement is critical to sustaining progress and unlocking the full potential of the digital economy