How can I tell if a phone number is really from Tanzania?
Tanzanian mobile numbers have the country code +255, or start with 0 and have ten digits when written locally. If someone says they live in Mwanza but messages from a foreign or internet number, ask why.
Scammers often use numbers from other countries, or virtual numbers that can be created online in minutes without a SIM card. A foreign number is not proof of a scam, but it should fit the person's story.
How to check
- Look at the country code at the start of the number.
- Compare it with where the person says they live.
- Ask a direct question if it does not match.
- Veritaza check 3 shows which country the number is from and whether it looks like a virtual number.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a scammer have a real Tanzanian number?
- Yes. Some register SIM cards in other people's names. That is why the number is only one piece of the picture.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for TSh 5,000.
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