Spam Texts Are Rising in Ethiopia

“It seems my phone number has been leaked somewhere, as I'm receiving a bunch of unsolicited job offer texts,” stated one Ethiopian Reddit user, when sharing a widespread frustration that many citizens now face. Instead of ignoring them outright, this Reddit user decided to respond in Amharic, playfully pretending to be naive. “Good luck trying to scam me!” highlighting the creativity some users employ to cope with the frustration of spam.

Spam messages have become an unfortunate phenomenon in Ethiopia, targeting an expanding demographic and employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive unsuspecting individuals.

In 2019, a story by Quartz revealed that Ethiopians receive a staggering 120 spam texts per month, the highest rate globally. This problem isn't unique to Ethiopia, as South Africa and Kenya also rank among the top three countries for spam text reception worldwide, according to Truecaller. In fact, nine of the top 20 countries with the highest spam rates are in Africa.

Truecaller's data, collected between January 1, 2019, and October 30, 2019, shows that Ethiopians are bombarded with fraudulent job offers, suspicious investment schemes, and phishing attempts.

And this number has only gotten up in recent years, the volume of spam texts has surged dramatically, with many Ethiopians reporting a relentless barrage of unsolicited messages, from various sources. This troubling trend has expanded to target a wider audience, employing increasingly sophisticated fraudulent tactics. Local companies have become frequent targets, and account takeovers have unfortunately become a common occurrence, often utilizing emotional manipulation.

For instance, just last week, I received three Telegram messages from contacts I regularly communicate with. Most of these messages contained alarming phrases such as, “Your videos and photos are in this link,” followed by a suspicious link. A less cautious recipient might easily click on such a link, unaware of the potential consequences for their account.

Thankfully, after encountering similar incidents repeatedly, I was able to recognize the scam. This growing trend not only disrupts everyday communication but also poses significant risks as scammers take advantage of the anonymity offered by text messaging to prey on unsuspecting individuals.

In Ethiopia, one particularly alarming aspect of this issue is the rise of phishing scams, where fraudsters impersonate reputable organizations to extract sensitive information from victims. For example, many people receive text messages and even phone calls claiming to be from their bank, urging them to verify their account details due to "suspicious activity." It's crucial to be cautious and verify such claims directly with the bank to avoid falling victim to a well-orchestrated scam that could compromise one’s financial security.

As mobile technology continues to advance in Ethiopia, so too does the sophistication of spammers. So how do you save yourself from such dubious activity that is becoming more sophisticated day by day?

In response to this growing menace, Ethio Telecom has launched fraud awareness campaigns aimed at educating users on how to identify and report spam messages. They encourage individuals to report suspicious activity by dialing 994 or sending an SMS to 9090.

But, despite these efforts, many people still find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of spam flooding their inboxes daily.  To effectively combat spam messages, individuals can adopt several proactive strategies. The following are some.

Guard Your Privacy

It is essential to be cautious with personal information. Avoid sharing your phone number publicly on social media platforms or websites, as this can make you an easy target for spammers. Additionally, using strong privacy settings on social media can help limit who can see your information.

Enable spam filters

Another important step is to enable spam filters on your mobile device. Many smartphones come equipped with built-in features that can automatically detect and block spam messages. Regularly updating your phone's software ensures that you have the latest security features and protections against emerging threats.

Stay Vigilant

Do not engage with suspicious messages. If you receive a text from an unknown number or one that seems too good to be true, it’s best to ignore it. Responding or clicking on links can lead to further issues, including malware infections or identity theft. Instead, report these messages to your service provider using the designated reporting channels.

Be Aware

Finally, keeping yourself updated on common scams and sharing what you learn with your friends and networks can really help everyone stay safe. When you talk about recent scams and how they work, you help others spot and avoid these threats.