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How mobile, bank customers lost billions to fraudsters
What you need to know:
- The majority of cases involving mobile money transactions, bank transfers and ATM withdrawals
Dar es Salaam. Sh5.345 billion was lost to fraud in 2024, with the majority of cases involving mobile money transactions, bank transfers and ATM withdrawals, according to the newly released Crime and Traffic Incidents Statistics Report.
The amount represents a rise from the Sh5.067 billion reported in 2023, highlighting a growing trend in financial fraud.
The report, jointly compiled by the Tanzania Police Force and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), attributes the increase to a combination of factors, including economic hardship, youth unemployment, globalisation and the desire for fast and illicit gains.
A total of 4,091 financial fraud-related crimes were reported last year, compared to 3,731 cases in the previous year—an increase of 360 cases or 9.6 percent. However, only Sh254.1 million was recovered over the same period.
The majority of the reported cases—3,460—were linked to mobile phone transactions, followed by 457 incidents involving bank transfers. ATM-related frauds were the least reported, with 74 cases, while other types of financial scams accounted for 100 cases.
Ilala Region emerged as the most affected area, registering the highest monetary loss through mobile phone fraud at Sh1.602 billion.
The report indicated that 465 individuals were arrested in connection with the crimes, including 367 men and 98 women.
“Police officers should continue receiving training in modern methods and technologies to stay ahead of emerging criminal tactics, particularly those facilitated by advancements in science and technology,” the report advised.
It called upon the government and stakeholders to strengthen institutional capacity, including regular training in digital crime-fighting tools and techniques.
“We expect the government will continue to support the Tanzania Police Force in addressing challenges beyond its current capabilities,” it added.
The release of the report comes at a time when data from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) shows a 33 percent increase in attempted mobile phone fraud between December 2024 and March 2025.
Kilombero District recorded the highest number of cases, with telecom operator Airtel registering the largest share of fraud attempts—5,876 cases—followed by TTCL (3,925), Vodacom (3,143), Yas (2,484) and Halotel with 1,724 cases.
Speaking during a recent event, the Commissioner of Police for the Forensic Bureau, Mr Shaban Hiki, said the rapid pace of technological development has made it harder to control cyber-related crimes.
“The expansion of digital platforms has brought many opportunities but also exposed us to sophisticated criminal networks,” said Mr Hiki.
“To tackle these, the government and stakeholders must invest in modern technology and continually review existing laws to ensure they are up to date.”
He added that cybercrime is a global issue, often crossing borders.
“Someone can commit a cybercrime from another country while targeting victims in Tanzania. We therefore need adaptable laws and stronger international cooperation to tackle these crimes effectively.”
Mr Hiki further noted that while Tanzania’s cybersecurity landscape remains broadly stable, ongoing investment and public awareness are essential to close remaining gaps.
“Education is a crucial tool in preventing fraud. We must ensure that citizens understand the importance of safeguarding personal information and reporting suspicious activity,” he said.
The police force also reiterated its commitment to working with other institutions to raise public awareness about the Cyber Crime Act No. 14 of 2015, particularly the protection of passwords and digital identity.
