MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud - Multidox .:.:. Blog

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Posted by Felix Okoli on Tuesday October 11, 2011 at 13:59:43:

Well this seems like fraud but not on the part of MTN but on the aprt of scammers who tend to use any GSM promo to fatten up their pockets. I'm still wondering how they are able to send fraudulent text messages from MTN's official customer care number 180 and it seems they are good at hacking but not so good at constructing good English.

We know MTN mostly emplys graduates and efficient people especially when it has to do with promos like this one. Now about the promo, you shouldn't be missing out on MTN's offer because this is like the biggest fish and MTN is giving it away to lucky participants.

I've noticed that some scammers are using this promo to try to deceive people again just in time for Christmas and they are sending sms or text messages to unsuspecting people hoping to steal from.

Here is an example of a text message a friend of mine received:

From: 181
CONGRATULATON, Your number is among the 25lucky winners of N50,000 in on-going MTN n1B reward promo! With ref pin(558)OBS. Call MTN cash office on 08102865508.

Now I discovered 3 things that were wrong:
- SMS notification
- Bad English
- Using an ordinary number for MTN cash office instead of something special like 180

I guess in the end when the victim calls the number, you would be asked to send some money for processing your payment and so on, the maga continues.

Now, let's get things straight:
- MTN has said in past times that they don't send sms or text mesasges to winners instead they would call you. I mean, they are not many winners so they can afford to call you cause if you won, you are special
- MTN can construct good grammar and sentences
- MTN would not tell you to call an ordinary number

Examples of other MTN promos which scammers have also hijacked in the past:
- MTN fifa 2010

How do you confirm if you really won
Ordinarily, the tips above would save your time and avoid having to confirm if you won millions of naira or not but if you really want to confirm frm MTN if you were a winner, then you can:
- Visit any customer service outlet
- Call customer care on 180
- Send an email to MTN. Check website for details

If you really won money in the MTN N1 Billion promo, MTN would call you and would not ask you to call any other number. They would find a way of contacting you but I'm not assuming it is by sms.

Comments:
Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by ndubezea on Thursday December 22, 2011 at 10:2:46:

Thanks for these tips on identifying the fraudsters in the on-going scams. many have fallen victim and a lot more will if the trend is not quickly addressed... i just got a similar sms sent frm 180 requesting me 2call 0703 225 4756 in order to claim a whooping prize of N2mil. that i won in the MTN N1bil promo, Imagine!

Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by kenneth on Tuesday December 27, 2011 at 20:28:6:

i just got an sms that i won 2billion on the mega promo. Haba which one will be real naaaa...

Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by Ebi on Sunday January 29, 2012 at 3:34:17:

Thanks for your advice. We need people like you.

Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by kawooya on Thursday February 9, 2012 at 8:6:29:

hello
ithanth for your good services

Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by Mc on Friday April 20, 2012 at 19:8:43:

watch out for the so - called mtn cash office number 08103274297. Scam

Comments:
Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by LILAN on Thursday June 11, 2015 at 13:47:6:

I wonder how fraudsters use 180 to send fake text messages on the promo.Why has MTN not employed their superior IT skills to nab these fraudsters.Or why dont they follow the bait of the fraudsters to actually catch them or are some MTN staff involved in this illegal business.

Re: MTN N1 Billion SMS fraud Posted by Agbede idowu Sunday on Thursday November 12, 2015 at 17:6:28:

there is a message sent to me about mtn cash office that i won #2,000,000 that am a 11 lucky winner for mtn cash office is't true or fraudn