Orange Sierra Leone and its subsidiary, Orange Money Sierra Leone, joined government institutions, regulators, and industry stakeholders in validating Sierra Leone’s first National Roadmap to Combat Mobile and Digital Fraud. The telecommunications companies participated in the initiative, which aims to strengthen national coordination against illicit activities. An official statement from Orange Sierra Leone and Orange Money Sierra Leone confirmed their involvement in the validation process, showing their commitment to fostering a secure digital ecosystem. The workshop specifically sought to protect consumers and address fraud within the country’s expanding telecommunications and digital financial sectors, recognizing the growing importance of these sectors to the nation's economy and daily life. The participation of Orange Sierra Leone and Orange Money Sierra Leone in this key validation process notes the collaborative effort required to tackle complex issues like digital fraud.
New Reporting Channels Deployed
Orange Sierra Leone introduced its *505# Scam Alert Reporting Tool and an accompanying online reporting platform, providing customers with multiple avenues to combat fraudulent activities. The company officially launched these two reporting channels on August 13, 2026, at the Orange Digital Centre in Hill Station, Freetown, marking a significant step in empowering its user base against scams. This launch event served to formally present the new tools to the public and stakeholders, emphasizing their readiness for immediate use.
Orange Sierra Leone stated that customers can dial *505# from any ordinary mobile telephone. Following the prompts, users can verify if a number is associated with Orange or report suspected fraudulent activity, making it a readily accessible tool for all mobile subscribers. This simple, dial-in method ensures that even users without internet access can actively participate in reporting and verifying potential scams. For internet users, the company made available a dedicated platform at www.orange.sl/en/scamlandingpage.html to submit reports, offering a full online interface for detailed submissions. Additionally, Orange Sierra Leone confirmed that telephone assistance for scam reports is accessible through its customer service line, 111, providing a direct human contact point for those who prefer verbal communication or require further guidance. These diverse channels are designed to cater to the varying needs and preferences of Orange Sierra Leone's broad customer base.
National Strategy Against Fraud
The roadmap for combating mobile and digital fraud received approval during a consultative workshop held from August 18 to August 19, 2026. This validation of the roadmap signifies a substantial stride towards establishing a more secure and strong digital environment within Sierra Leone, laying a foundational framework for future anti-fraud efforts. The full nature of the roadmap is expected to provide clear guidelines and protocols for all involved parties.
The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation led the engagement, demonstrating the government's proactive stance on digital security. This effort was conducted in collaboration with several key national bodies, including the National Communications Authority, the Financial Intelligence Agency, the Bank of Sierra Leone, and the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication Technology. Their collective participation shows a coordinated approach to addressing fraud challenges across the nation's digital landscape, ensuring that regulatory, financial, and legislative aspects are all considered. The involvement of these diverse institutions notes the multi-faceted nature of combating digital fraud, requiring expertise from various sectors. The collaborative workshop fostered an environment where different perspectives could be shared and integrated into a cohesive national strategy. The validated roadmap represents a significant step towards creating a safer and more resilient digital environment for all citizens and businesses in Sierra Leone, promising enhanced protection against evolving fraudulent schemes.
Executive and Customer Insights
Orange Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer Aïcha Touré stated that customers were increasingly being targeted through fraudulent calls, fake promotions, phishing, impersonation, and social-media scams. These illicit activities aim to obtain personal information or Orange Money credentials from unsuspecting users, posing a significant threat to financial security. Ms. Touré emphasized the importance of customer vigilance and the role of the new reporting tools in mitigating these risks. Orange Sierra Leone affirmed that the company will never request customers’ PINs, passwords, verification codes, or other confidential security information, issuing a clear warning to help customers identify genuine communications from fraudulent attempts. This key reminder serves as a cornerstone of customer education in the fight against fraud.
Orange Sierra Leone Customer Experience Director David Mansaray explained that reported numbers would be carefully investigated before any action was taken, ensuring fairness and accuracy in the process. Mr. Mansaray added that transaction records, calling patterns, devices, and other indicators would be examined to distinguish genuine complaints from false or malicious reports, noting the thoroughness of their investigative procedures. This careful approach is vital to maintaining trust in the reporting system and preventing its misuse. David Mansaray also noted that early reporting could sometimes help Orange block suspected accounts, trace transactions, and recover transferred funds before the money was withdrawn or moved, showing the time-sensitive nature of fraud detection and intervention. This capacity for quick action is a critical component of the new scam alert system, offering a chance to prevent financial losses.
