There has been a high number of cases reported where Emaswati are being defrauded through bogus calls, false SMSes, false notifications, etc. promising help in securing funding through social grants, employment or financial gain through any means possible. The said fraudsters attempt to gain confidential details like the user ID, password, one-time pin, and any other personal details to defraud the public of their money.

The Most Common Mobile Payment Scams

These are the most common mobile payment scams currently prevalent in Eswatini.

a)      Social contest scams

Scammers are using social media to launch fake competitions through which they then trick victims into giving up personal financial information or sending a mobile payment. Fraudsters contact individuals and claim that they have won the competition, then request a fee to facilitate the release of the prize.  

b)      Cash prize scams

Hackers call individuals saying they have qualified for a cash prize that will be deposited into their account. The scammers request the “prize winners” for details regarding their preferred mobile money platform. Once the unsuspecting victim reveals this, the scammer then requests for a one-time pin in an attempt to withdraw funds from the account.

c)       Fraudulent customer service scams

An unsuspecting target may receive a call, text, or email from an individual claiming to be from the customer service department of their mobile operator or Bank.  They may claim that there is an error with a transaction, or with the account, and request for details to “verify" your account details like the balance of your mobile wallet account following which they may request you to reveal other personal information that they use to access the account.

d)      Misrepresentation/Identity Theft

A family member or stranger may request an individual to register a number on their behalf. This person may appear desperate with no identification documents for registration and request to use the individual’s personal documents to fulfil all the KYC requirements for the purchase of the SIM card. They may offer the individual money as compensation and then use this number to commit fraud.

The scammer may also encourage a group of customers to register their numbers and offer them a lucrative amount e.g E5000. These preregistered SIM cards are then used to commit fraud.

Members of the public are requested to practice safe digital banking by taking all necessary precautions while transacting on their mobile devices to safeguard their funds.

Safe Digital Banking Practices

a)      Never share your account details such as account number, login ID, or password, with anyone; not even with bank officials. The bank will never ask you for your password.

b)      Be wary of any phone call or email threatening to block your account on the pretext of non-compliance with KYC or for any other reason and a suggestion to click on a link for updating the same is a common modus operandi of fraudsters.

c)      Do not download any unknown app on your phone or mobile device. The app may gain access to confidential data.

d)      Protect the information on your phone by activating a password.

e)      Check website links and domain names received in emails and SMSs for spelling errors. In case of suspicion, contact the organisation directly and verify.

f)       If you receive a PIN for debit on your account that you did not initiate, inform your mobile or financial service provider immediately. Report any suspicious activity timeously.

g)      Do not be misled by notifications of unknown money deposits made on your behalf for grants or competition prizes.

h)      Regularly check your email and phone messages for alerts of activity on your mobile wallet. Report any unauthorized transaction observed to your mobile service provider or bank mediately and block all accounts to prevent any further losses.

i)        Always keep in mind that you will be held liable for any fraud committed via a number registered under your name.

To report any suspected mobile wallet fraudulent activities you can contact your nearest police station or email info@esccom.co.sz