Stolen phones and mobile money scams: Cameroon’s new urban epidemic 📱💸🇨🇲

Cliquez ici pour lire en français

In Cameroon’s bustling cities, the scene has become routine: a phone vanishes in a taxi, on a motorbike ride, in a noisy market, or at a crowded bar. Hours later, the victim’s relatives receive a text: “Hey, I’m stuck, can you quickly send me 30,000 francs on OM? I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.” It sounds like a desperate plea from a sibling or close friend. But it’s not. It’s a scammer exploiting trust — and a stolen phone.

A well-oiled trick 🔑

Here’s how it works. Once a phone is stolen, the SIM card is slipped into another device. Suddenly, the thief has access to contacts — sometimes even WhatsApp. From there, all it takes is mimicking the victim’s texting style and creating urgency.

“When my sister texted me saying she was stranded on the road to Mbalmayo and needed 20,000 francs, I didn’t think twice. I sent the money immediately. Only later did I realize it was a scam,” recalls René, a teacher.

Mireille, a nurse, almost fell into the same trap:

“I got a message claiming my cousin had been arrested by the gendarmerie and needed 50,000 francs for bail. I was about to send it, but when I called and got no answer, I knew it was a scam,” she says.

Victims pay twice ⚠️

For many, the pain isn’t just losing a pricey smartphone. It’s also the fallout with friends and family who feel betrayed after sending money.

“My phone was snatched at the market. Two hours later, my aunt had already transferred 15,000 francs to a scammer pretending to be me. She was furious with me — until the same thing happened to her. It’s hard to convince people you’re not to blame,” says Stéphanie, a shopkeeper.

Why it works 🎯

The scam thrives because it preys on a cultural reflex: solidarity. In Cameroon, family support is sacred. Few people stop to question a cry for help, especially from someone they know.

“Cameroonians are used to mobile money as an instant fix. If a brother or sister asks for help, you send it — no questions asked. I got caught myself. It was only afterward that I realized I had sent 10,000 francs to a stranger who immediately blocked me,” explains Alain Manga, a cybersecurity expert.

How to protect yourself 🛡️

There are simple habits that can cut the risk:

• Always lock your phone and SIM with a PIN.
• Alert relatives quickly if your phone is lost or stolen.
• Double-check urgent requests by calling the person directly.
• Never transfer money to an unknown number.
• Warn family and friends to be cautious about suspicious messages.
• Report thefts to authorities and activate location tracking or remote wipe.

More than theft ⚡

In Cameroon, phone theft has evolved beyond a street crime — it’s now a weapon that erodes trust. Every fraudulent text doesn’t just steal money; it chips away at the certainty that you can rely on your own family.

Operators promise to strengthen safeguards, but for now, individual vigilance is the best defense.

Your turn !!!
Have you ever witnessed or fallen victim to a mobile money scam ? What steps do you take to keep your phone — and your trust — safe?