Africa-Press – Namibia. Residents of Okaku village in the Oshana region have raised alarm over an increase in scamming cases targeting senior citizens.
They accused the police and mobile operator MTC of failing to protect them from fraudsters.
During a community engagement meeting held last week, several elderly residents shared painful experiences of losing large sums of money to scammers.
They claim that despite the mandatory SIM card registration exercise, fraudulent activities are worsening.
One of the victims, senior citizen Natangwe Angolo, said the situation has become unbearable.
“We thought that when MTC registered our SIM cards, these crimes would stop. But instead, it just got worse. I have been a victim, and I am tired. Even when we open police cases, everything goes blank. We never get feedback or our money back,” Angolo lamented.
Residents further questioned how scammers gain access to their personal numbers, noting that callers often pose as employees of reputable institutions such as Old Mutual, NamRA, Metropolitan and Sanlam.
In response, MTC spokesperson John Ekongo clarified that the company only acts once police submit official requests.
“We do not just trace numbers on our own. A case has to be reported to the police. Once the police bring us the details, we can assist in tracing. If the police do not provide the numbers, there is no way we can follow up,” Ekongo said.
He urged the public to be alert, warning that MTC communicates with clients through one official customer care number, +264 818882000.
“That is the only number we use. Any other number claiming to be MTC is a scam,” he cautioned
Residents also raised concerns about being followed after withdrawing large sums of money.
“If you withdraw N$2 000 at the ATM, no one bothers you. But the moment you withdraw N$20 000 from the bank, suddenly people start following you,” one community member said.
Oshana Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Thomas Aiyambo assured residents that measures are in place.
“We signed a memorandum with banks so that when someone withdraws a large amount, the bank alerts us. If needed, we escort the person until they are safely home,” he said.
He added that enquiry desks and toll-free call systems have been introduced in banks to further protect clients.
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