Angela Normino
RUKWA is leading other regions in the country for cybercrime through mobile phones, according to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
The region is leading the malpractices that were recorded in the second quarter of last year—April to June—by 38.7 per cent.
The TRCA Manager for Southern Highland Zone Office, Eng Asijile John, said Rukwa was leading by registering 8,991 incidents of using mobile phones.
“The region tops others after SIM cards identified for being associated with multiple criminal acts.
“Most criminal acts are associated with swindling and theft,” Eng John said told the `Daily News’ on Tuesday.
Other top ten regions on the list with their SIM cards associated with multiple criminal acts are Morogoro (6,535), Dar es Salaam (2,999), Mbeya (1,684), Mwanza (496), Kagera (240), Tabora (234), Arusha (192), Pwani (190) and Kilimanjaro (183).
Additionally, Rukwa also led other regions on the mobile phones criminal acts commanding 45 per cent or 5,422 of recorded incidents in last year’s quarter one.
Also the region between October and November 2022 registered 6,767 cases equals to 46 per cent.
The Rukwa Regional Commissioner Mr Makongolo Nyerere urged stakeholders to help address the high rate of mobile phone criminal acts.
Equally, he called upon relevant state organs to address the challenge permanently in a concerted effort to cleanse the region from the setback which has tainted the precinct’s reputation.
According to the latest TCRA data, from July 2022 to June 2023, a total of 108,395 International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEIs) linked to incidents of theft or involvement in criminal activities were blocked by the authority’s systems.
According to TCRA Director General, Dr Jabiri Bakari his authority has been vigilant in identifying communication equipment used in fraudulent acts and blocking the devices’ IMEI.
Dr Bakari highlighted the successful implementation of measures to restrict the usage of fake phones, phones that have been cloned, stolen phones, lost or damaged phones, and unauthorised mobile devices for the period of one year.
This has not only helped in reducing theft incidents but also ensured the availability of quality communication devices in the market.
In November 2022, TCRA announced blocking 52,000 phone numbers, including those of scammers.
From July 2021 to September 2022, a total of 52,087 IMEIs were blocked due to being reported as lost, stolen, or involved in criminal activities.
One of the essential tools that TCRA utilises in this process is the Central Equipment Identity Register, which allows the verification of all devices connected to service providers, ensuring compliance with international standards and safety for users.
TCRA has also been vigilant in detecting fraudulent phones entering the country, resulting in a decline in fraudulent phone incidents from 2020 to June 2023. However, there were a few isolated phone fraud cases in September 2022, said the regulator.
Rukwa Regional Police Commander, Mr Shadrack Masija commended TCRA for their contribution in countering cybercrime.
He praised the agency for providing state-of-the-art technologies that greatly facilitate the work of the police force in tackling cybercrime acts.
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