It usually happens when you least expect it, late at night or during a busy workday. Your phone rings once. Just once. Then it stops.
You look at the screen. You see a missed call from a number you don’t recognize. The country code looks foreign—maybe +269, +41, or +231.
Your curiosity kicks in. “Who is this?” “Do I have a relative abroad trying to reach me?” “Is this an international business opportunity?”
So, you tap the number to call back.
Stop. You have just walked into one of the most sophisticated automated traps in the world. This is the Wangiri Scam, it is draining airtime from mobile users across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania at an alarming rate.
In this PesaSmart guide, we explain exactly how this fraud works, the specific country codes to block right now, and what to do if you accidentally called back.
What is the Wangiri Scam?
“Wangiri” is a Japanese word that translates to “One Ring and Cut.”
It is a global telephone scam where criminals use computer software to dial thousands of random mobile numbers in a specific country (like Uganda or Kenya). The computer lets the phone ring just once—long enough to leave a “Missed Call” notification on your screen—and then hangs up.
How They Steal Your Money
The scam relies entirely on your curiosity.
The number they use is not a normal mobile line. It is a Premium Rate Number (similar to the lines used for voting on TV shows or adult services). These numbers charge a massive fee per minute—sometimes as high as 100 to 500 KSh/UGX per minute.
When you call back:
- You are charged immediately for the connection.
- They try to keep you on the line. You won’t hear a person. You might hear a recording of a ringing tone (so you think it’s still connecting), music, or a faint voice saying “Hello? Hello?” to make you shout back.
- The Split: The money deducted from your airtime or post-paid bill goes to the telecom provider, who then pays a “commission” to the owner of the Premium Number (the scammer).
PesaSmart Watchlist: Codes to Block
Scammers frequently change the countries they route calls through, but certain codes appear constantly in East African fraud reports.
If you see a missed call from any of these codes, do not answer and do not call back.
- The “High Risk” Zone (Most Common)
- +269 (Comoros): This is currently the #1 source of Wangiri calls in East Africa.
- +231 (Liberia): Frequently reported in Uganda.
- +216 (Tunisia): A common gateway for automated bot calls.
- +236 (Central African Republic): Often used in late-night attack waves.
. The “Surprise” Zone (Looks legitimate)
- +41 (Switzerland): Scammers use this because people trust Swiss numbers (thinking it’s a bank or NGO).
- +32 (Belgium): Similar to the Swiss trick, used to target business owners.
- The “Pacific” Zone (The most expensive)
- +682 (Cook Islands)
- +674 (Nauru)
- +691 (Micronesia)
- +247 (Ascension Island)
PesaSmart Tip: Unless you have a specific friend or business partner in the Cook Islands or Comoros, there is zero reason for them to be calling you
What To Do If You accidentally called Back
Did you fall for it? Don’t panic. They cannot “hack” your phone or steal your M-Pesa PIN just from a phone call. The damage is limited to your airtime balance.
- Hang Up Immediately: The second you realize it’s a scam, cut the line. Every second counts.
- Check Your Balance: Dial *144# (Safaricom) or *131# (MTN/Airtel) to see how much airtime was deducted.
- Do Not Top Up Immediately: If your balance was wiped to zero, wait a few hours before topping up again. Sometimes automated systems will try to re-bill if the call didn’t fully charge the first time.
- Block the Number: Go to your call log, tap the “i” or “Details” icon next to the number, and select “Block Contact.”
How to Stop These Calls Forever
You cannot stop them from calling, but you can stop yourself from seeing them.
1. Use a Caller ID App (Highly Recommended)
Apps like Truecaller or Hiya are your best defense. These apps have a massive database of reported spam numbers.
- When a Wangiri number calls, the app will turn your screen red and label it: “Suspected Spam” or “Wangiri Fraud.”
- You can set the app to automatically block known spammers so your phone doesn’t even ring.
2. The “Silence Unknown Callers” Feature
If you are receiving a wave of attacks (10+ calls a day), use your phone’s built-in nuclear option.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. (Calls from numbers not in your contacts will go straight to voicemail without ringing).
- Android: Go to Phone App > Settings > Block Numbers > Block calls from unknown numbers.
The Bottom Line
Curiosity is expensive. In the digital age, if a call is truly important, the caller will leave a voicemail, send an SMS, or message you on WhatsApp. If they ring once and stop, they are after your wallet.
Stay safe, and keep your airtime for the people who actually matter