Mobile money fraud works on hurry and trust. Almost every scam tries to make you act before you think, or to get one of two things from you: your PIN, or a code sent to your phone.
Your network and MoMo will never ask for your PIN, over a call, SMS, WhatsApp or in person. Anyone who asks is a scammer. No exceptions.
The common scams
"I sent money to you by mistake"
You receive an SMS that looks like a MoMo credit alert, then a call from a crying person asking you to send it back. The SMS is fake and no money arrived.
Check your actual balance by dialling your MoMo code, not by reading the SMS. A real credit alert comes from the network's official sender name, not a normal phone number. If money really did arrive by mistake, tell them to ask the network to reverse it; you do not need to send anything.
The fake promotion or prize
"You have won a car", "your number was selected", "customer care" calling about a reward. To collect, you must pay a fee or approve a transaction. Real promotions never ask you to pay to receive.
The "approve this" prompt
A scammer starts a withdrawal or payment from your wallet and calls you pretending to be from the network, asking you to "enter your PIN to stop the transaction" or "to receive the bonus". Entering your PIN approves the payment to them. Read every prompt on your screen. If it says cash out or payment to a number you do not know, cancel.
The code scam
"I sent a code to your phone by mistake, please read it back to me." That code is a PIN reset, a SIM swap authorisation, or a WhatsApp verification code. Never share a code sent to your phone.
The friend or family member in trouble
A message from a relative's WhatsApp or a new number: stranded, arrested, in hospital, needs money now. Their account has been taken over, or it is simply a stranger. Call them on the number you know, or call someone who is with them, before sending anything.
The SIM swap
A fraudster convinces the network or an agent to issue a new SIM on your number. Your phone suddenly shows no service for no reason, and minutes later your wallet is emptied. If your SIM loses signal unexpectedly while others around you have signal, call your network from another phone straight away.
Fake agents and fake online sellers
Sellers on Facebook or TikTok who want full payment up front by MoMo, then disappear. Pay on delivery, or use a seller with a real shop you can visit.
If you have been scammed
Speed matters. The network can sometimes freeze the receiving wallet if the money has not yet been withdrawn.
- Call your network immediately on 100 from your line (MTN from other networks: 0244 300 000; Telecel: 050 555 5111; AT: 026 000 0100). Give the number you sent to, the amount, the time and the transaction ID.
- Report the scammer's number. MTN and Telecel both take scam reports on 419. MTN also takes MoMo fraud reports by SMS to 1515.
- Report to the Cyber Security Authority by calling or texting 292, on WhatsApp at 050 160 3111, or at csa.gov.gh/report.
- Report at a police station if a large amount was lost, and keep the extract.
- Change your MoMo PIN if there is any chance someone saw it.
The numbers above are for Ghana. The CSA also suggests calling 292 before you send money to anyone you are unsure about.
Protect your wallet
- Never write your PIN on the phone or in your contacts.
- Use a MoMo PIN different from your screen lock and your bank card PIN.
- Put a PIN on your SIM card so a thief cannot use it in another phone.
- Do not let a stranger "help" you with your phone at an agent point.
- Check your balance directly after every transaction.