TANZANIA Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has blocked over 52,000 mobile numbers for engaging in fraud and other cyber related crimes, a senior government official announced on Tuesday.
TCRA’s Director General, Dr Jabir Bakari said in Dodoma that the number also includes those which were reported missing, stolen or involved in criminal incidents.
“This decision has further reduced fraud and improved communication services,” Dr Bakari told reporters.
The Central Equipment Identity Register database at TCRA has enabled verification of all equipment connected to service providers’ networks to see if they meet international standards and are safe for users.
The module which is in the Telecommunication Traffic Monitoring System (TTMS) has prevented stolen, lost or damaged phones as well as fake phones from operating in the local market.
“This system has the ability to identify and block duplicated IMEIs. It can identify the numbers of devices used in fraud as well as identifying numbers that have been reported to be lost or stolen,” he stated.
