Police warn public against telephone fraudsters

Police says the scammers reportedly make phone calls to people making false offers to study abroad before requesting for money to update passport records and process travel documents. They ask their victims to send the money on a private mobile money number.

"Other scammers offer bursaries, promotions, job opportunities to relatives with you as a referral etc. After receiving the money, they switch off their phones and even destroy the sim cards. For instance, the telephone scammers are using a landline number +256414673797 to call selected public officials about a course in the UK. After convincing them, they ask them to deposit an agreed amount of money on the mobile phone of Maria (the secretary) on 0776318856," Police Spokesman Fred Enanga says.

Police adds that the fraudsters sometimes impersonate employees of legitimate mobile network operators, and use the ongoing promotions to dupe genuine clients.

They request for their online mobile account credentials, including log-ins, address and bank account details. After defrauding them, the suspects cease contact with the victims.

"This is a sophisticated scam and we urge the public not to engage with these callers, not to return calls to their fake numbers and NOT to share any personal information with the callers. All MDAs do not request for money to deposit on private mobile money numbers, or request for Bank account details, or other details from staff by phone or SMS. Going forward, if you encounter such claims, immediately contact superiors or your mobile network provider on a number you know to be correct," Enanga warns.

The task team investigating the subscriber fraud is reportedly working to dismantle the network of criminals.

According to Police, the criminals obtain personal information by photocopying extra copies of the National ID and register new sim cards without the knowledge of the owner of the National ID.