CPC, NLRC Urge Telcos to Checkmate Fraudulent VAS Operators

The telecommunications network providers have been urged to deploy more technology to contain activities of fraudulent Value Added Service (VAS) operators.

Both the Consumer Protection Council and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) expressed worries as loyal telecom subscribers are been swindled daily by the fraudsters who hind on the network of the network service providers.

The duo said that the sleeves are becoming unbearable hence the network operators should ensure adequate technological interventions are in place to curtail the tide.

Mr. Joshua Nggada, head of Consumer Protection Council, Lagos office, brought this to bear on Friday, adding that operators in the telecommunication industry can best reward Nigerians by addressing the lingering challenges from VAS services on their networks.

He said, “Telecoms operators’ ‎should not be unconcerned about the plight of their loyal consumers over the tricks of value added service operators on their networks. Our office is always been bombarded with complaints as your customers are always being swindled with depletion of their data or credit balance through the whims and caprices of VAS operators on all the mobile operators."

However, Consumers Protection Council and the Nigeria Lottery Commission have thus given accolades to Airtel Nigeria for adhering to the regulations and guidelines for promos in the country saying “Airtel has been able to fulfill its promises to the winners of the Red Hot Promos.”

“They met ‎all required standards that guild against consumer Infringements,,, They have tried to ensure that no matter what the challenge of  the winners are in the Red Hot Promo they have been able to resolved it for them to be able to fulfill their promise,”

According to Airtel Nigeria the responsibility of given back to loyal subscribers through the promo initiative has not been toyed with saying the tourism trip to Dubai for the lucky winners and fulfilling consolation prizes of one million naira to 60 Nigerians and others was done with integrity and share of respect to Nigerian subscribers.

“We have been taking along the regulators from the beginning to finish of the promo; including the Consumers Protection Council(CPC) and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission on this Red Hot Promo. We have also been identifying with their calls to Nigerians to shun participation in any form of illegal lotteries,” Dipo Jolaosho, head; Mass Segment Airtel Nigeria, said.

One of the lucky winners in the last batch of the promo is an entrepreneur from Oyo state; Hajia Abimbola Ademola. She spoke on Friday with journalists on behalf of other winners with delight before their trip saying she is a living witness that not all promos in Nigeria are false.