The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority says it has noted with concern the increase in the number of unsolicited messages consumers and users of ICT products and services have been exposed to.
ZICTA Corporate Communications Manager Ngabo Nankonde said the unsolicited messages are from third parties asking users to send money to a specific mobile number through mobile money services.
Ms. Nankonde said the other messages are scams disguised as ‘possible winnings’, ‘gift vouchers’ and ‘free internet’, usually containing a link which mimics official website platforms when clicked.
She said investigations carried out by ZICTA in collaboration with law enforcement agencies have revealed that fraudsters have adopted social engineering methods as a way of collecting and accessing personal information of consumers thereby exposing them to cybercrime.
“This conduct contravenes Section 42 (6), 99, 103 and 106 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act No. 21 of 2009. The Authority has engaged the service providers to ensure that they immediately suspend or terminate the service to perpetrators who have violated the Acceptable Use Policy as stipulated under 16.4 of the Consumer Protection Guidelines”, she added.
Ms. Nankonde has since cautioned members of the public not to forward or entertain such messages but to rather ignore them completely.
She said Clicking links from unsolicited messages can expose consumers to malicious software that has intention of getting personal identifiable information.
“Consumers are strongly advised to refrain from requesting for videos/photos that have gone viral on social media through posting their mobile numbers as this makes them susceptible to cybercrime”, Ms. Nankonde said.
She has however assured members of the general public that the Authority is collaborating with Bank of Zambia, the Zambia Police and mobile network providers to ensure that the people responsible for these crimes are brought to book.
Zicta is the scam if anything
Scams are everywhere. It’s not just Zambia. The problem even for a savvy person like me is recognizing the very good elaborate ones. As a rule of thumb, I don’t open attachments, WhatsApp silly videos sent by friends or relatives without verifying authenticity, or answer calls for numbers I don’t recognize.
Also stop being greedy and expecting Jesus to give you free money. The chances of you winning a lottery you didn’t play are zero no matter how many days you fast and pray!
Well done Zicta. We need to see such people jailed
When these Politicians were lobbying for registering of SIM cards they pros they sold the public was that it would eliminate text scams and other criminality …guess what these will never end just like the Nigerian Sani Abacha Swiss Money email scams on the internet…it only takes a foool to take the bait. We told you that the only motive they had for registering was using it against opponents to illegally eavesdrop on their phone calls.
I have been watching the Railway line built between Mombasa and Nairobi by China from beginning to end and how the Chinese interviewed students at the University in Kenya and sent them to learn in China including 8 girls who came to be drivers of trains, and I felt ashamed of how our UPND TRIBAL GROUPING has been disseminating hatred for the nation that has helped so many African nations. ANIMO FARM is so evil we don’t have to have it in our leadership in our nation. What a shame! Always Ha-NEGATIVE “Only HH can do the right thing.”
You full, theirs no such a thing as “train drivers”
They are “locomotive engineers”
I don’t even know why you bother reading nonsense.. just ignore it like poop on a grass!!
So what’s the difference you quack!
“ONLY A TONGA CAN BE A PRESIDENT FOR UPND,” Larry Mweetwa.
Sharon kupusa
SHARON TELLS THE TRUTH.
AND THE TRUTH HURTS
I have been accused of being a fraudster of swindling money but i am total ignorant. I am boyd kaluba patachongo, a teacher at ntipo secondary school, isoka district. I was shocked when my brother sent me a message that i am among of the money swindlers. I THINK ZICTA DID NOT DO FULL INVESTIGATION.