Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah, says the government is strengthening efforts to curb mobile money fraud and other cyber-enabled financial crimes following growing concern in Parliament over a rise in digital scams targeting citizens.

Salima Bah outlined the Government’s response Tuesday, 4th August 2026 after she, the National Communications Authority (NatCA), and mobile network operators appeared before Parliament to address increasing reports of mobile money fraud, WhatsApp account hijacking, and online impersonation.

The parliamentary session was convened after lawmakers sought explanations for the growing number of cyber-related scams affecting the public.

Opening the proceedings, Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas said Members of Parliament were concerned about the trend and wanted answers.

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“This House wants a proper explanation for the coincidence so that we can think about taking the necessary action,” the Speaker stated.

Responding on behalf of the Government, Bah described cyber-enabled financial fraud as a significant threat to public trust in Sierra Leone’s expanding digital economy.

She said the Government’s digital transformation agenda under President Julius Maada Bio has expanded broadband access, strengthened digital infrastructure, and increased financial inclusion through mobile money services. At the same time, she said, the rapid growth of digital platforms has created new opportunities for criminals to exploit users.

According to the Minister, most fraud cases reported in Sierra Leone do not involve sophisticated cyberattacks but instead rely on deception and manipulation.

She said fraudsters commonly gain access to WhatsApp accounts by convincing victims to disclose verification codes before impersonating them and requesting money from friends and family.

Bah also told Parliament that criminals are increasingly creating fake WhatsApp and social media accounts using the names and photographs of ministers, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, business executives, and religious leaders to deceive the public.

She identified additional schemes, including fake customer care representatives, fraudulent promotional offers, phishing links, and fabricated emergency appeals for financial assistance.

The Minister noted that cyber-enabled financial fraud is a global challenge affecting countries such as Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States, adding that Sierra Leone is facing a problem experienced in many parts of the world.

To address the threat, she said the Government has adopted a three-part strategy centred on public awareness, stronger consumer protection measures, and enhanced criminal investigations and law enforcement.

Bah said her Ministry, working with NatCA, the National Cyber Security Coordinating Centre, and mobile network operators, has expanded public education campaigns through radio, television, newspapers, social media, SMS alerts, and community outreach.

She urged citizens to verify requests for money or sensitive information received through WhatsApp, text messages, or social media by contacting the sender directly before responding.

The Minister said victims can report suspected fraud through customer care centres, mobile applications, SMS platforms, and physical service centres, enabling operators to investigate complaints and, where possible, freeze suspicious mobile money wallets before funds are withdrawn.

She cautioned, however, that recovering stolen money becomes increasingly difficult once fraudsters move the funds through multiple transactions, making prompt reporting essential.

Highlighting support from mobile network operators, Bah disclosed that Orange Sierra Leone has recorded about 390 mobile money fraud complaints so far this year.

She added that the company has responded to more than 18,000 requests from the Sierra Leone Police for Know Your Customer (KYC) information to assist criminal investigations, although she emphasised that not all of those requests were related to cybercrime.

Bah also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to completing the nationwide SIM registration and National Identification Number (NIN) linkage exercise, describing it as an important step toward improving accountability and helping law enforcement identify individuals involved in criminal activity.

She concluded by assuring Parliament that the Ministry would continue working with lawmakers, regulators, security agencies, mobile network operators, and financial institutions to strengthen Sierra Leone’s legal, regulatory, and institutional response to cyber-enabled financial crime.

“I respectfully commend this ministerial statement to the House,” Minister Bah said.