• In 2018 ZICTA issued sim card directives to all Mobile Network Operators.
• The directives are aimed at securing the mobile money space.
• There has been compliance regarding the Know Your Customer registration.
Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) says it has put in place several measures to curb mobile money fraud in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, ZICTA Director Technical and Engineering Mutale Mwenya disclosed that in 2018, the Authority issued sim card directives to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) aimed at securing the mobile money space.
Mr. Mwenya observed that as a result, there has been compliance regarding the Know Your Customer (KYC) registration, where the Mobile Network Operators were directed to ensure that they take photos of those opening mobile money accounts to make it to follow up in cases of a fraud.
“We are doing a lot on mobile money fraud to secure the cyber space. In 2018, ZICTA issued what is called sim card directives to all mobile network operators and these directives were aimed at securing the mobile money space.”
“There has been compliance regarding the KYC registration where the MNOs were directed to ensure that for mobile money accounts, they should be able to get a photo or face of the customer so that it becomes part of the records. This makes it very easy to follow up in cases of a fraud over a sim card,” Mr. Mwenya said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwenya stated that ZICTA has also issued directives regarding SIM Swaps and is currently working with Mobile Network Operators on how to stop the practice.
“On issues to do with sim swaps, we have heard where people swap the sim cards and we have issued directives regarding that and we are working with MNOs on how to stop that. For the past 2 years I don’t think we have been receiving a lot of Text messages requesting subscribers to send money to this mobile operator or to this person,” he added.
