Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
Mobile network operators (MNOs) and Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) have been forewarned by the Communications Minister that the National Communications Authority (NCA) will have the authority to blacklist scammers on all networks due to the impending central SIM registration system.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, April 15, Samuel Nartey George claimed that despite numerous allegations, telecoms have not responded to accusations of mobile money theft. He charged them with ignoring fraud practices that are readily apparent.
The Ningo Prampram MP said, “That is my problem with the EMIs that we are going to deal with.”
“When a specific number is proven to exist, and once more when you follow, particularly those who use Facebook, it is a series of comparable numbers.”
He claims that people often notify EMIs of these bogus numbers. To stop the syndicates, however, not much is done.
“They are not blocking those numbers, despite numerous reports to the EMIs asking them to speak with their sister companies, the MNOs,” he claimed.
But he promised that was about to change. The Communications Ministry is developing a centralised system that will interface directly with the NCA under the new registration regime. He said that this would fundamentally change the enforcement environment.
The Minister clarified, “That’s the beauty of the registration system we are going to do.”
“Because the NCA will be seated in the system.” Networks will be able to block numbers under the NCA’s authority.
This puts an end to the widespread practice of switching networks in order to avoid detection because a fraudster who is barred on one network will also be blocked on all others.
More importantly, the Minister disclosed that telecom providers will be subject to severe financial penalties if they do nothing about identified numbers.
He said, “If a report is made and we find that this number is perpetuating fraud, the telco will be subject to daily pecuniary fines if they do not address it after informing you of this.”
The action represents a firm new stance from the government as mobile money fraud keeps increasing in spite of SIM cards and public education campaigns.
According to the Minister’s remarks, the new system will not only centralise fraud detection but also compel network providers to make quick corrections or face consequences.
In the upcoming months, the new framework is anticipated to be implemented, with a focus on NIA-linked identity verification, real-time reporting, and data integrity.
