In the early hours of Wednesday, July 30th, a Momo fraudster attempted to scam the Education-News Consult team lead. The fraudster, not knowing he had been suspected and was being recorded, exchanged pleasantries ahead of his criminal attempt to defraud. He was caught in the act and got angry and scared after he was told the money would be used to buy food for dogs.

The fraudster informed HIM that an amount of GHS 300 had been deposited into his account as a result of a wrong transaction.

The conversation that ensued between the two was brief but fruitful.

After a question to confirm the amount sent was asked, the MTN Momo fraudster also disclosed that an SMS from MTN had been sent and that the number would be blocked.

In the midst of giving the above information, the scammer was shocked when he was told that the GHS 300 would be used to buy food for dogs because the call was intended to scam the receiver.

The statement, “I’ll use your money to buy food for dogs,” sounded to the MTN Momo fraudster like, “I’ll use your money to buy food for gods.” This angered him, and he reacted by switching from speaking English to Pidgin English.

This smart and direct statement, intended to provoke, achieved its purpose as the Momo fraudster burst out with a series of insults.

Below is the full conversation between the fraudster and the gentleman he was trying to scam.

Man: I am on the line.

Fraudster: Good morning.

Man: Good morning.

Fraudster: How are you doing?

Man: I’m very, very, very well.

Fraudster: We thank God.

Fraudster: Please, I have mistakenly sent you GHS 300. Can you please check your phone for me?

Man: You did what?

Fraudster: I have mistakenly sent GHS 300 to your phone.

Man: GHS 300?

Fraudster: Yeah, there is an unauthorised message on your phone’s screen. Can you please key in your PIN for me?

Man: OK, since you said you have sent me money, I will spend it. I will use it to buy food for dogs.

Fraudster: Your God will kill you!

Man: I will use it to buy food for dogs because you want to scam me.

Fraudster: That God will kill you. That god… dogs… dogs will kill you!

(Fraudster is confused as to whether he heard God or dogs.) Lol

Man: My God does not kill me. He kills scammers like you. I will use your GHS 300 to buy food for dogs.

Fraudster: I go call MTN to block you.

Man: Eh, if you like, call Mahama. I will use your money to buy food for dogs.

Fraudster: Eh, I go call them.

Man: I catch you simple kuraa. Your brain be shallow. Shallow brain, say yes, sir!

Fraudster: Your mother wai.

Man: Your brain don die basaa. Your brain is empty.

Listen to the funny Momo fraudster audio: Angry Momo fraudster on the phone

Five tips to help you detect Momo fraudsters and keep your account safe

Never Share Your PIN: Your 4-digit Mobile Money PIN is your secret password. Your network provider (like MTN, Vodafone, or AirtelTigo) and bank will NEVER call or text you to ask for it. Anyone asking for your PIN is a fraudster.

2. Always Verify Your Balance Independently: If you receive a call about a “wrong transaction”, do not trust the SMS message they claim you received, as it can be faked. Hang up the phone and check your actual Momo wallet balance yourself by dialling the official shortcode (e.g., *170# for MTN) to see if any money was actually added.

3. Beware of Unsolicited Approval Prompts: Fraudsters can initiate a cash-out request using your number. If a pop-up menu appears on your phone asking you to enter your PIN to approve a transaction you did not start, DO NOT enter your PIN. This is a trick to withdraw money from your account. Immediately cancel the prompt.

READ: Daddy Lumba does not deserve any state burial

4. Resist Pressure and Urgency: Fraudsters create a false sense of panic. They will use threats like “your account will be blocked immediately” or promises of “a prize you must claim now”. This is a tactic to rush you into making a mistake. A legitimate company will not pressure you this way. Stay calm, hang up, and think.

5. Do Not Return Money to a Different Number: If you verify that money has indeed been wrongly sent to you, and the person calls asking you to forward it to a different number, be very suspicious. This is a common money laundering tactic. Advise them to contact their service provider directly to request a reversal from the network.