MTN says it has intensified efforts to protect mobile money users by introducing intelligent technology designed to intercept fraudulent messages before they reach customers.
The telecoms giant disclosed that it has embedded advanced detection systems within its mobile money platform to counter the growing sophistication of fraud schemes targeting both individuals and businesses. The move comes amid heightened concerns over fake transaction alerts and deceptive payment confirmations.
Speaking to Joy Business, Senior Manager for Fintech at MTN, Abdul-Majeed Rufai, said the company has strengthened its systems with automated tools capable of identifying messages that attempt to imitate genuine mobile money notifications.
According to him, the platform is now able to recognise and block fake alerts, even when fraudsters attempt to disguise them by altering message formats, headers or transaction details.
He explained that the system flags any message that mirrors the structure of official MTN transaction alerts, preventing it from being delivered to unsuspecting recipients. This, he said, has significantly reduced the success rate of common fraud tactics used to deceive merchants into releasing goods without receiving actual payment.
Mr Rufai noted that fraudsters have increasingly tried to evade detection by inserting spelling errors and irregular layouts into fake messages, hoping to confuse automated filters. However, he said MTN has responded by adopting more adaptive technologies that continuously learn from emerging fraud patterns.
He said the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning allows the system to analyse behaviour in real time, making it easier to detect unusual activity and stop fraudulent attempts before losses occur.
Beyond message interception, he indicated that the technology also helps identify suspicious transaction trends, enabling faster intervention and improved protection for wallet holders.
Mr Rufai reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to safeguarding the mobile money ecosystem, stressing that technology alone is not enough without cooperation from users and businesses. He urged customers to remain vigilant, protect their account credentials and report suspicious activity promptly.
As mobile money remains central to Ghana’s digital payments landscape, analysts say investments in smarter security systems will be key to restoring trust, especially at a time when some businesses are reconsidering their reliance on electronic payments due to fraud concerns.
MTN’s latest measures signal a broader industry shift toward proactive fraud prevention, aimed at ensuring mobile money remains a safe and reliable option for everyday transactions.
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