Security alerts · Mobile Money

The "Send that money to this number instead" SMS

Scammers send an SMS that looks like it came from someone you know, asking you to send money to a different number. Don't send anything before you verify.

This is one of the most widespread scams in Tanzania. You receive an ordinary SMS (not one from your mobile network) saying something like "Don't send the money to my number, send it to this one: 07XX..." or "I sent you money by mistake, please send it back".

Scammers send this message to thousands of people, hoping some of them really are waiting to send or receive money. They often use common names like "Mama", "Boss" or "Brother" so you believe them.

Warning signs

• The message comes from a number you don't know or haven't saved
• You are asked to send money to a different number than usual
• The message is urgent: "send it now", "I'm in hospital", "I'm stuck"
• The "money sent to you by mistake" message did not come from M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas or Airtel Money themselves

How to protect yourself

• Before sending money, call the person on a number you know and confirm
• Check your balance directly in your network's menu (e.g. *150*00# for M-Pesa) before "returning" any money
• Genuine money-received messages come from the network's name (e.g. M-PESA), not an ordinary number
• Teach your parents and older relatives about this scam

If you are affected

• Call your network's customer care immediately and ask them to block the transaction
• Keep the message and the scammer's number; don't delete anything
• Report it at the nearest police station (Cybercrime Unit) and get an RB number
• Report the number to TCRA by sending an SMS to 15040