ZAMBIA Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA)’s move to deactivate scam-linked phone numbers in 2025 was crucial because it directly prevented scammers from stealing about K3 million from unsuspecting people.
According to Eastern Province regional officer Brian Chileshe, ZICTA deactivated phone numbers with money amounting to K3 million, which is yet to be claimed.
This initiative was critical in that it also protected thousands of citizens from fraud, and strengthened trust in Zambia’s digital economy.
By deactivating fraudulent SIM cards, ZICTA blocked scammers from accessing K3 million that would have been stolen from unsuspecting victims.
This represented not just recovered money but also real savings for households and businesses, many of whom are vulnerable to financial shocks.
Scams erode public trust in mobile money and digital services.
ZICTA’s intervention reassured citizens that mobile transactions are safer, encouraging continued use of digital platforms for banking, e-commerce and communication.
Fraudulent SIM cards are often linked to organised crime networks.
Deactivation disrupts these networks, making it harder for criminals to operate anonymously and reducing risks of related crimes such as identity theft.
Zambia’s economy increasingly relies on mobile money and ICT services.
By curbing fraud, ZICTA helps sustain growth in fintech, e-commerce and mobile banking, ensuring that innovation is not undermined by criminal activity.
We urge all citizens to be reporting scam numbers through ZICTA’s platform as this is important because it helps authorities quickly block fraudulent SIM cards.
This also protects citizens from financial loss, strengthens law enforcement investigations, and builds public trust in Zambia’s digital and mobile money systems.
When citizens report scam numbers, ZICTA can deactivate them immediately, cutting off scammers before they defraud more people.
This proactive step prevents widespread losses and reduces the reach of criminal networks.
Scammers often target vulnerable groups with fake promotions or mobile money fraud.
Reporting such enables ZICTA to shield consumers from financial harm, fulfilling its mandate under the ICT Act.
Many people in Zambia fall victim to scams because of low digital literacy, widespread use of mobile money, weak awareness of fraud tactics, and the rapid growth of online platforms that scammers exploit.
Combined with economic pressures, these factors make citizens more vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
We therefore call for intensified sensitisation on how people can avoid getting scammed because awareness equips citizens with the knowledge to recognise fraud.
Sensitisation also reduces financial losses, strengthens trust in digital services, and empowers communities to collectively fight cybercrime.
Intensified awareness is key because scammers in Zambia have stolen millions of Kwacha through mobile money fraud and fake SMS schemes.
Sensitisation campaigns help people spot red flags, such as suspicious messages and fake loan offers before they lose money.
All in all, ZICTA deserves commendation for deactivating scam-linked numbers because the move directly protected citizens, strengthened national security, and reinforced trust in Zambia’s digital economy.
Its move to deactivate scam numbers was a bold, proactive step that protected citizens, disrupted criminal activity, and strengthened Zambia’s digital future
Deactivating scam-linked numbers must continue
ZAMBIA Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA)’s move to deactivate scam-linked phone numbers in 2025 was crucial because it directly prevented scammers from stealing about K3 million from unsuspecting people.
According to Eastern Province regional officer Brian Chileshe, ZICTA deactivated phone numbers with money amounting to K3 million, which is yet to be claimed.
This initiative was critical in that it also protected thousands of citizens from fraud, and strengthened trust in Zambia’s digital economy.
By deactivating fraudulent SIM cards, ZICTA blocked scammers from accessing K3 million that would have been stolen from unsuspecting victims.
This represented not just recovered money but also real savings for households and businesses, many of whom are vulnerable to financial shocks.
Scams erode public trust in mobile money and digital services.
ZICTA’s intervention reassured citizens that mobile transactions are safer, encouraging continued use of digital platforms for banking, e-commerce and communication.
Fraudulent SIM cards are often linked to organised crime networks.
Deactivation disrupts these networks, making it harder for criminals to operate anonymously and reducing risks of related crimes such as identity theft.
Zambia’s economy increasingly relies on mobile money and ICT services.
By curbing fraud, ZICTA helps sustain growth in fintech, e-commerce and mobile banking, ensuring that innovation is not undermined by criminal activity.
We urge all citizens to be reporting scam numbers through ZICTA’s platform as this is important because it helps authorities quickly block fraudulent SIM cards.
This also protects citizens from financial loss, strengthens law enforcement investigations, and builds public trust in Zambia’s digital and mobile money systems.
When citizens report scam numbers, ZICTA can deactivate them immediately, cutting off scammers before they defraud more people.
This proactive step prevents widespread losses and reduces the reach of criminal networks.
Scammers often target vulnerable groups with fake promotions or mobile money fraud.
Reporting such enables ZICTA to shield consumers from financial harm, fulfilling its mandate under the ICT Act.
Many people in Zambia fall victim to scams because of low digital literacy, widespread use of mobile money, weak awareness of fraud tactics, and the rapid growth of online platforms that scammers exploit.
Combined with economic pressures, these factors make citizens more vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
We therefore call for intensified sensitisation on how people can avoid getting scammed because awareness equips citizens with the knowledge to recognise fraud.
Sensitisation also reduces financial losses, strengthens trust in digital services, and empowers communities to collectively fight cybercrime.
Intensified awareness is key because scammers in Zambia have stolen millions of Kwacha through mobile money fraud and fake SMS schemes.
Sensitisation campaigns help people spot red flags, such as suspicious messages and fake loan offers before they lose money.
All in all, ZICTA deserves commendation for deactivating scam-linked numbers because the move directly protected citizens, strengthened national security, and reinforced trust in Zambia’s digital economy.
Its move to deactivate scam numbers was a bold, proactive step that protected citizens, disrupted criminal activity, and strengthened Zambia’s digital future