NCC vows to prosecute telecom fraudsters

THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it would go against all fraudulent activities jeopardising the needed growth in the telecom industry, adding that all telecom fraudsters will not go unprosecuted.

This is just as 9 members of a syndicate, specialised in call masking and refiling and have defrauded subscribers were arrested.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC ), Prof  Umar Danbatta, who said this in Abuja at the 86th Edition of Telecom Consumers Parliament (TCP) said considering the danger in call masking, the commission was taking every necessary step towards addressing the menace.

He said that the unit in charge of enforcement at the commission has been empowered with modern technology to constantly be on the trail of these fraudsters who were bent on destroying the benefits of the ongoing reforms in the telecom industry.

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According to him “Let me begin by informing you forthwith that the theme of today’s event: “Overcoming Challenges of Call Masking/Refiling: Task Ahead for the Telecoms Industry” is featuring at our TCP programme this year for the second time in succession.

” For those who may be aware, at the 85th Edition of the same programme held in Lagos in the third quarter of this year, precisely, on September 27, the same theme was examined. At that forum, the dangers of call masking/refiling were prominently brought to the notice of all necessary stakeholders. I dare say that we also recorded robust deliberations by the participants at that forum.

” After the 85th Edition in Lagos, the Commission, in its wisdom and based on suggestions from participants, decided to treat the same topic at the 4th Quarter Edition of the Parliament holding here today. This is to essentially underscore the seriousness of the Commission in combating any instances of ‘communication fraud’ such as call masking/refiling in the industry.

” Indeed, the third quarter edition of the TCP in Lagos has helped to raise awareness on the problem of call making and refiling in the South, the 86th Edition holding here today is expected to further deepen awareness and increase the tempo of discussions around the theme among telecoms consumers and stakeholders in the north. By this, we would have robustly informed our stakeholders on the dangers of the call masking trend.

” Let me reiterate that this theme has been carefully chosen to brainstorm on the menace of call masking/refiling and SIM boxing, their dangers to our industry and how we can curb the menace.

“Considering that this gathering is an amalgam of technical and non-technical stakeholders, it is pertinent to briefly explain what call masking/ and SIM boxing mean. With this understood, we will all be on the same page in the course of our deliberations here today.