Ernest Nsanzineza, a Rutsiro District resident, about two weeks ago, was a fraud victim when strangers swapped his wife’s phone number and found their way into her mobile banking application somehow. They stole from their bank account Rwf2.5 million.
Having discovered and alerted the organizations concerned, the hackers ‘ bank accounts were blocked. One of the fraudsters has been apprehended and there are more investigations taking place.
Nsanzineza is not precisely sure how the crooks managed to obtain access to the bank account, but he appealed for tighter security measures in the sim swapping process in an interview with reporters in order to prevent such events.
Someone may wonder how somebody is swapping a sim card that is not his or her own. This can occur, though, as difficult as it sounds.
It was identified in discussion with telecommunications firms that there may be flaws in sim registration and swapping procedures owing to the reality that some officials are not diligent in requesting identity card from customers.
“In the past, people would swap and there weren’t agents who were very diligent in getting the ID cards. But we have had a very extensive exercise where we ensure that our agents always have to ask for the IDs from the people who are swapping so that they don’t just get any other person’s number,” said Teta Mpyisi, the Senior Brand and Sponsorship Manager at MTN.
MTN expects to launch biometric technology for sim swap and registration by the end of the year, she said.
“We are actually working on something and by the end of this year we should have launched it already. Sim swaps and registration will be going the biometric route,” she said.
Biometrics are automated techniques of recognizing an individual based on a trait of physiology or behaviour.
Face, fingerprints, hand geometry are among the prevalent characteristics measured.
The move, she said, is inspired by the need for greater security in registration and swapping, as well as facilitating the processes as customers will not be required to register using the traditional pen and paper as the process will be done on the online platform of the company.
“This is one of the routes that we are going to ensure–of course safety number one; but it is also an easier way for them (clients) to get onto our platform and register and do swap (online) instead of having to fill forms, showing IDs or bringing photocopies,” she said.
Airtel Rwanda also said it is planning to go biometric and is awaiting permission from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA).
“Issues regarding registration and swapping are a major concern for Airtel. We work closely with law enforcement orders to assist the best way possible customers who have been victims of those crimes as well as prevent these crimes from happening in the future” said Gisele Umugwaneza, Regulatory Head at Airtel Rwanda.
“Airtel is planning to roll out the biometric in sim card registration as soon as RURA gives a green light,” she added.
In July 2017, RURA released a law on the regulation of sim card registration.
It set up a sub-committee to study the integration of the biometric scheme into the registration of sim cards.
The sub-committee will find out which technologies will be the best fit for mobile operators and clients ; for example, if they should be devices for sales agents or downloading apps.
Biometric technology is still evolving, and societies are finding ways to incorporate it into citizens ‘ everyday life.
Biometric data today, among other things, provides opportunities for governments to recognize their people and provides access to a variety of services, such as social benefits, medical care, or financial services.
