Every week, Cameroonians lose money to Mobile Money scams. After 8 years moving money in this country, we’ve seen every trick. This free guide shows you the exact MTN MoMo and Orange Money scams people fall for, and how to avoid each one. Read it, then share it with your family.

1. The Fake Confirmation SMS

The biggest one. A scammer sends you a text that looks exactly like a MoMo or Orange Money ‘payment received’ message, but nothing actually entered your account. They use it to grab goods, crypto or cash before you notice. A screenshot or SMS is not money. Always check your REAL balance, dial *126# (MTN) or #150# (Orange) yourself, before you release anything.

2. The ‘Wrong Transfer, Please Refund’ Trick

Someone sends money to your number ‘by mistake’ and begs you to send it back. The original transfer is fake or will be reversed, so if you refund from your own balance, you lose your real money. Never refund. Tell them to ask MTN or Orange to reverse it properly.

3. PIN and OTP Phishing Calls

A caller pretends to be MTN or Orange ‘customer care’ and asks for your PIN, a secret code, or an OTP to ‘fix’ or ‘verify’ your account. MTN and Orange will NEVER ask for these. Anyone who does is stealing your wallet. Hang up.

4. Fake Promo and Lottery Scams

‘You won the MTN promo! Send a fee or a code to claim.’ Real promotions never ask you to pay or share a code to receive a prize. It is a scam every time.

5. Fake Agent and Marketplace Scams

Fake ‘agents’ and fake buyers/sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Jumia who pay with a forged confirmation or vanish after you ship. Confirm money is really in your account before handing over anything, and prefer people with a real, verifiable history.

How to Protect Yourself, Every Time

Check your real balance before releasing anything. Never share your PIN, code or OTP. Never refund a ‘mistaken’ transfer from your own money. Slow down when someone pressures you. And deal with people who have years of public history, not a two-week-old account.

💬 Ask Us About a Suspicious Deal

Q: What is the most common MoMo scam in Cameroon?

The fake confirmation SMS. A scammer sends you a text that looks exactly like an MTN MoMo or Orange Money ‘payment received’ message, but no money actually entered your account. They pressure you to release goods or crypto. Always check your real balance (dial *126# for MTN, #150# for Orange) before you release anything.

Q: Someone sent money to my number ‘by mistake’ and wants it back. Is it a scam?

Very often, yes. Scammers send a fake or reversed transfer, then beg you to ‘refund’ from your own real money. If you send it, you lose. Never refund from your balance. Tell them to contact MTN or Orange to reverse it properly.

Q: MTN or Orange called me asking for my PIN or a code. Should I give it?

Never. MTN and Orange will NEVER ask for your PIN, your secret code, or an OTP. Anyone who does is a scammer trying to empty your wallet. Hang up.

Q: I won an MTN / Orange promo and they want a fee or code. Real?

No. Real promotions never ask you to pay a fee or share a code to ‘claim’ a prize. It is a scam every time.

Q: How do I report a MoMo scam in Cameroon?

Call your operator’s customer care (MTN: 8567 / Orange: 150) to report and try to freeze the transaction, and report the number to the police. Tell your network of friends so they don’t fall for the same number.