TCRA deactivates over 17,300 phone lines used by fraudsters
DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than 17,300 SIM cards have been blacklisted and deactivated over the last three months for various reasons, including involvement in multiple dubious acts and online criminal activities.
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Director General Dr Jabiri Bakari said while issuing a sector performance report in Dar es Salaam yesterday, that the trend of phone fraudulent incidents is on a steady decrease.
He said the incidents dropped from 20,939 blacklisted SIM cards from October to December 2023, down to 17,318 phone lines from January to March 2024, representing a reduction of 3,621 phone lines, equivalent to 15 per cent.
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Dr Bakari said that the most affected regions by phone scams as of March 2024 are Rukwa and Morogoro, where two-thirds of all fraudulent acts took place.
The TCRA DG said other regions like Mbeya, Dar es Salaam, and Tabora followed in the suspected criminal acts at a range of between one to ten per cent.
He explained that locations that reported few fraud attempts include Zanzibar – North Pemba and 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 fraudulent phone calls entering the country and that appropriate mitigation measures continue to be taken, leading to a subsequent decrease in the number of reported incidences.
“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, Dr Bakari said the regulatory body has continued to provide education on safer and proper use of mobile phone services to ensure users are protected from online scammers.
The TCRA boss reiterated the significance for citizens and all users to remain vigilant and report any suspicious text messages or calls they receive.
He advised the members of the public to continue sending phone numbers from the purposed fraudsters by reporting those numbers 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.
