Lonestar Cell MTN issues fraud alert

Liberia’s giant telecommunication company Lonestar Cell MTN says it will not request airtime or Mobile Money in exchange for any prize(s) won, warning its valued subscribers here not to approve any Mobile Money transactions they have not initiated.

“The management of Lonestar Cell MTN wishes to inform its valued subscribers, partners, vendors and the general public that, as a reputable company, we will not request airtime or Mobile Money in exchange for any prize(s) won,” the company says in a press release issued Monday, 6 August in Monrovia.

It adds that the company will neither ask for subscribers’ Mobile Money pin code to confirm any transactions via text message, in an effort to save its customers from being duped by criminals who text subscribers to demand airtime or Mobile Money from them for prizes allegedly won.

Lonestar Cell MTN clarifies that all winners of Lonestar Cell MTN competitions and promotions will be called on 0886 500 000.“We will not contact any winner on a different number nor would we contact winners via text message,” the company says further. It says all Mobile Money transactions can only be conducted or confirmed by customers in person using push notifications.

Lonestar Cell MTN warns subscribers not to approve any Mobile Money transactions they have not initiated, advising that any persons receiving a call or text message, requesting airtime or Mobile Money in exchange for any prize(s) won or asking subscribers to send their Mobile Money pin code to confirm any transactions should be disregard.

In addition to disregarding the request, the company says the affected person should kindly report these activities to any of Lonestar Cell MTN’s customer centers or via WhatsApp at 0888 500 000.

“MTN has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption, and we are constantly striving to improve our fight against it,” the release adds.It notes that Lonestar Cell MTN’s policy to conduct all its business activities with honesty, integrity and to the highest ethical standards.–Press release