Five Nigerians have been arrested for allegedly sending fraudulent text messages to deceive about seven thousand MTN subscribers.
The five suspects are Chukwuka Okide, 25, a footballer, Chidebere Uka, alias Motion, 28, a businessman and Ojiefo Jude, 25, Emmanuel Uka, alias Ogah, 39, and Chibuzor Andumanaka, 35, all traders.
[contextly_sidebar id=”9ZeAJ1DhortGSc5hQjK6IQ36zXOhxFAI”]The modus operandi of the suspects is to send text messages to some MTN subscribers congratulating them for winning a particular promotion.
The suspects subsequently request for money from recipients of these messages which they claim will enable them access their supposed winning package.
Data at the telecommunication company also showed that from the beginning of this year, 1,400 of such cases had been recorded.
It is suspected that over 50 per cent of the recipients of the text messages fell for the scam.
According to the police, in 2014 a total of 10,600 of MTN subscribers reported receiving such messages.
Addressing a press conference in Accra today Greater Accra Regional Police Commander DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohuno said they will beef up their operations to apprehend persons engaged in the practice.
Meanwhile MTN has cautioned its subscribers to be vigilant when dealing with text messages purporting to be from them announcing winners of a promotion.
According to the Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Cynthia Lumor, the operations of the criminals have dire consequence for their operations.
‘’The fraud differs, you might be asked to send money or airtime which is still a loss for our subscribers to suffer any of that.’’
Cynthia Lumor added that MTN will directly contact winners of all promotions via the official line, 024300000 or names will be published on the company’s website or in newspapers.
‘’Please remember that MTN will never ask you to send money or airtime before you come for a prize.’’ She said.
By: Franklin Badu Jnr/ Lorrencia Nkrumah/citifmonline.com/Ghana