E-mail Scam Strikes on MTN

MTN (Mobile Telecommunications Network) of Ghana has cautioned its consumers to be wary of a fake e-mail scam saying that participating users would get a mobile phone from Nokia if they passed on an e-mail message to other people.

The reports said that the fraudulent e-mail claims that it is sent by MTN and a part of brand awareness campaign of the company. Also, the message states that MTN hoped the promotional campaign would increase its sales and popularity.

The e-mail says the recipient merely needs to forward an e-mail message to eight people and he would be gifted with a Nokia N95. Additionally, if the recipient sends the message about the offer to at least 20 other people, then he would get a Nokia E90. The e-mail also requests to mail a copy of the message to 'nissar@mtn.co.za'.

But news released by Ms Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Services Executive, MTN, it is learnt that MTN would always want to avoid this kind of e-mail, as reported by TheChronicle on January 7, 2009.

Furthermore, it was learnt that MTN was neither running a promotional campaign itself of this kind, nor had it authorized any other party for a similar purpose. According to MTN, its promotions never ask participants to spare their time or money to be able to reclaim a prize.

According to Dumor, MTN's real promotion campaigns fulfil various requirements like advertising in multi-media, publishing winners' names in the daily newspapers as well as cautioning winners by making calls from general office lines, as reported by ITNewsAfrica on January 9, 2009.

Given the situation, MTN is asking its consumers to exercise caution with the fraudulent e-mail. It is suggesting that consumers contact at MTN hotlines or call the toll free number 111 if they have any question about the genuineness of any campaign organized by MTN.

Here, it is worth mentioned that in December 2008, there was another fraudulent e-mail of similar nature, making rounds in South Africa. It too claimed that MTN was promoting itself by gifting handsets in South Africa.

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» SPAMfighter News - 1/20/2009