Analysis
Five digital scams targeting Chadians in 2026
Mobile money, WhatsApp, social media: scammers follow the digital habits of Chadians. Their methods are often simple but effective. GSS cybersecurity experts describe the five most common scams and how to protect yourself.
Cyril KOSSADI KLAMADJI, IT Manager & Solution Builder, GSS Published on 4 min read
1. The fake mobile money transfer SMS
You receive an SMS that looks like one from your operator: “You have received 50,000 FCFA”. Shortly afterwards, a stranger calls, embarrassed: he claims he sent it to the wrong number and asks you to send the money back. In reality, no money has reached your account.
The right reflex: always check your balance directly from your operator’s official menu, never from an SMS. A genuine transaction message comes from the operator’s official sender name, not from an ordinary number.
2. WhatsApp account hijacking
A “friend” writes to you: they sent a six-digit code to your phone by mistake and ask you to forward it. That code actually lets them take over your WhatsApp account. The scammer then writes to all your contacts pretending to be you, usually asking for money urgently.
The right reflex: never share a code received by SMS, even with someone close to you. Turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp settings. If a relative asks you for money by message, call them before sending anything.
3. Fake job, scholarship or visa offers
The ad circulates on Facebook or in WhatsApp groups: jobs with an NGO, an oil company or an international organisation, a study grant or an easy visa. The only condition: pay “application” or “training” fees. Once the money is sent, the recruiter disappears.
The right reflex: a genuine employer never asks for money to recruit. Check the offer on the organisation’s official website or by contacting it directly.
4. The fake customer service
A call or message claims to come from your bank or operator: your account is supposedly blocked, or you have won a prize in a promotion. To “sort it out” or “receive your prize”, you are asked for your PIN, a validation code or to dial a combination on your phone.
The right reflex: no bank or operator will ever ask for your secret code. If in doubt, hang up and call the official number on the back of your card or on the company’s website.
5. Miracle investments
“Double your money in seven days”, “invest in cryptocurrency with guaranteed returns”: these promises circulate on social media, sometimes backed by fake testimonials or screenshots of gains. Early participants are sometimes paid with the money of those who join later, until the scheme collapses.
The right reflex: high, guaranteed returns do not exist. Before investing, ask your bank for advice.
Been scammed? Act fast
- Contact your operator or bank immediately to try to block the transaction or account.
- Keep the evidence: screenshots, numbers, messages.
- File a complaint with the competent authorities.
- Warn your contacts if your account has been hacked.
Vigilance, the first line of defence
These scams do not rely on complex techniques: they exploit trust, urgency and the lure of easy money. Taking a few seconds to check before acting is often enough to thwart them.
Share this article with your friends and family: information is the best defence against these scams.
Businesses and public bodies: GSS helps organisations raise their teams’ cybersecurity awareness. Contact us.
