SIM Swap Scams in Senegal
SIM swap fraud in Senegal hijacks Orange Money and Wave accounts by taking over victims' mobile numbers, enabling instant drainage of their mobile wallets.
Part of: SIM Swap Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Senegal's mobile money ecosystem — dominated by Orange Money and the rapidly growing Wave platform — is deeply integrated into everyday financial life. Because both services tie financial access to the phone number, a successful SIM swap gives an attacker immediate access to a victim's savings, transfers, and bill payments.
The Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes (ARTP) regulates telecom operators and has pressed for stronger SIM replacement protocols, but fraud incidents continue to be reported.
How this scam works on Senegal
An attacker collects the victim's personal details through phishing SMS, social engineering calls posing as Orange or Wave support staff, or via insider contacts at telecom agent shops. Armed with a name, national ID number, and phone number, they visit an operator outlet and request a SIM replacement, claiming the original was lost.
Once the swap is completed, the attacker immediately requests password resets for Orange Money and Wave, both of which send one-time codes to the now-controlled number. Funds are transferred to mule accounts within minutes, before the victim notices the loss of signal.
Insider fraud at telecom agent locations — where a corrupt agent approves a swap for a bribe — has been reported in several West African countries.
Common red flags
- Your phone loses signal without any apparent reason
- Unexpected password reset notifications for Orange Money or Wave
- Contacts report receiving calls or messages from your number that you did not make
- Unauthorised outgoing transfer notifications from your mobile wallet
- An incoming call or SMS asking you to 'confirm your SIM details'
How to protect yourself
- Request a SIM swap lock with Orange or Wave so any replacement requires your presence with national ID
- Never share OTP codes with anyone, including callers claiming to be from your operator
- Set a wallet PIN distinct from your phone PIN
- If signal is lost unexpectedly, call your operator's fraud line immediately from a different device
- Enable SMS transaction alerts for all mobile wallet activity
How to report it
- Call Orange Money or Wave's fraud line immediately upon discovering a swap
- File a complaint with the Division Spéciale de la Cybersécurité (DSC)
- Report to the ARTP consumer division if the operator's procedures failed
Frequently asked questions
Can Wave reverse a transfer made after a SIM swap?
Wave has a fraud team and may be able to freeze recent transactions if you report immediately. Contact them within minutes rather than hours for the best chance of intervention.