MWANANCHI
Thursday, 20 February 2025
By Our Correspondents
Summary:
- The 'Sitapeliki' campaign aims to educate the public and tackle issues related to online fraud and scams.
Morogoro/Arusha – As the police detain 12 individuals in the Mbeya and Morogoro regions for allegedly conducting online financial transactions without approval from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), the government has launched a special campaign to curb fraudulent activities and scams.
The 'Sitapeliki' campaign seeks to educate the public and address online fraud and scams. It will also raise awareness of the methods used by online scammers and provide guidance on how to protect oneself from fraudulent attempts by individuals seeking to exploit others for financial gain.
The BoT has warned that those running such operations without a license will face legal action.
The campaign was launched today, Thursday, 20 February 2025, by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, during a working session between the government and stakeholders in the communications sector, held in Arusha.
"This 'Sitapeliki' campaign aims to educate the public on taking specific precautions, and various messages will be disseminated to help people avoid online scams," said Silaa.
"Fraud undermines the government's efforts to promote financial inclusion and build a digital economy. I hope that after launching this campaign, all stakeholders will work promptly to implement the initiative, which will spread knowledge and awareness on protecting society from these crimes," he added.
"The security and stability of digital networks enhance public trust in ICT systems, encouraging active participation in the digital economy."
Speaking about the working session, Silaa highlighted achievements in the sector, including the expansion of the National Fibre Optic Network, which now reaches 109 out of 139 districts across the country—equivalent to 78% coverage.
He also noted that as of December 2024, there were 86.8 million registered mobile SIM cards, enabling the government to generate revenue from digital services.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed Abdulla, stated that the session aimed to assess the implementation of the 10-year Digital Economy Strategy, spanning from 2024 to 2034.
He explained that the strategy is based on six pillars: enhancing digital infrastructure, governance and regulatory frameworks, digital awareness and skills development, fostering a culture of digital innovation, enabling technologies, and promoting financial inclusion through access to digital financial services.
12 People Arrested
Meanwhile, the police in Morogoro and Mbeya regions have arrested 12 individuals for allegedly conducting online financial transactions without a BoT license.
Seven of the suspects are from Morogoro, while five are from Mbeya, and they are representatives of the company Leo Beneth London (LBL).
Speaking today, Thursday, 21 February 2025, Morogoro Regional Police Commander Alex Mkama stated that the suspects were apprehended on 18 February 2025 in the Kirakala area, Morogoro Municipality, in possession of equipment linked to the operation.
The arrested individuals from Morogoro include:
- David Francis (35) – Director of the company
- Boazi Amboniye (42) – Director of the company's Turiani branch
- Kundi Msalaba (31)
- Moses Dugomela (22) – Company accountant
- Isaya Paulo (25) – Company legal advisor
- Baraka Sanga (32)
Additionally, Jackson John (30) was arrested for allegedly gathering over 30 people in a house used for fraudulent activities and charging them TZS 23 million.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with BoT officials in Morogoro Urban and Mvomero districts as part of efforts to combat financial fraud through mobile and digital financial platforms.
One of the scheme’s participants, Thadei Hafigwa, stated that he joined the platform via a special link for a fee of TZS 50,000 and was required to watch a series of videos daily to earn payments.
"I just joined recently, and I haven’t recovered my initial payment yet, but I am grateful that the police arrested the people running the company," he said.
Five More Arrested in Mbeya
In another operation, Acting Mbeya Regional Police Commander Wilbert Siwa reported that five individuals were arrested in the Mwanjelwa area for engaging in the same business.
The suspects include:
- Gerald Masanya (31) – Company manager
- Saphina Mwamwezi (23)
- Edda William (29)
- Yohana Mkinda (29)
- Macrine Sinkala (23)
Speaking to journalists today, Thursday, 20 February 2025, Siwa said the police received information about the company’s activities on Wednesday and launched an investigation in collaboration with BoT officials.
"We arrived at the company's offices near a clothing store named Vunjabei in Mwanjelwa and managed to arrest five suspects, including the manager," he said.
"The suspects admitted that through this company, they were involved in an online pyramid scheme, using a special link for customers to sign up and invest money ranging from TZS 50,000 to TZS 540,000 in exchange for watching advertisements and earning profits."
BoT's Operations Manager, Graciana Bemei, stated that conducting business without a license violates Section 14 of the 2015 Payment Systems Act.
She also cited Section 12 of the 2022 Anti-Money Laundering Act, warning that any company operating without a BoT license may face money laundering charges.
Scam Victims Speak Out
Some individuals who participated in LBL’s scheme shared their experiences.
John Frank (not his real name), a resident of Mabibo, Dar es Salaam, stated:
"They claim to be an international company partnered with major film studios like Paramount, 20th Century Fox, MGM Pictures, Warner Brothers, Destiny, and DreamWorks Pictures to advertise movies by showing trailers. They claim that they get paid by these studios and, in turn, pay viewers, but to earn money, you must invest first."
He explained that participants invest in different levels:
- P1-Level – Deposit TZS 50,000 and receive five trailers to watch daily, earning TZS 335 per trailer, equating to TZS 1,675 per day and TZS 50,250 per month.
- P2-Level – Deposit TZS 150,000 for higher earnings.
- Higher levels – Deposit up to TZS 540,000 to watch 15 trailers daily and earn TZS 1,200 per trailer, amounting to TZS 18,000 per day or TZS 540,000 per month.
"As you advance to higher levels, the promised profits increase, which psychologically entices people seeking quick wealth," he said.
"To withdraw your earnings, you must accumulate at least TZS 100,000, making people invest more money in hopes of reaching the withdrawal threshold," he added.
Hairati Mzeru, a resident of Kimara Bonyokwa, Dar es Salaam, also shared his experience:
"I joined with TZS 50,000, but so far, my balance has not increased. They told us that the more you invest, the more you earn, but I haven't seen any profits."
"When I wanted to withdraw my money, I was told it was non-refundable. That’s when I realized I was being scammed," he added.
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